RISE IN GAS PRICES TO BE COMPENSATED FOR IN ARMENIA

March 15, 2006
ARKA

The rise in the price for Russian gas supplied to Armenia will be compensated for, Chairman of the National Civil Council for International Affairs, Director of the Institute of political Research Sergey Markov told reporters in Moscow. According to him, compensations will be paid in any cases independently of the rise in gas prices.

To anybody who hears this, it is a very strange statement. If it is independently of the rise in gas price how is it then a compensation for the rise in the gas price? come on Sergey Markov, if this is an attempt to spin you are not doing it well.

“We have a lots of means of compensation. For example, Armenian students can receive free educations in Russian higher schools, and Armenian businessmen will have certain tax privileges in Russia,” Markov said. He also reported that in discussing the gas prices the sides should consider the fact that the rise will tell on all the consumers, including Russian ones. “The task of raising the gas prices is bringing gas prices to the international level, and no discrimination should be seen in this,” Markov said.

From April 1, 2006, the Russian “Gasprom” company plans to raise the price for gas supplied to Armenia up to $110 for 1,000 cubic meters. The negotiations over the “gas issue” with the participation of Director General of the Armenian-Russian “ArmRosgasprom” CJSC JV Karen Karapetyan are still under way in Moscow. P.T.

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