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Armenian citizens currently have no reason to be concerned about possible changes in gas tariffs, according to officials.
Armenia continues to receive gas supplies under normal conditions and at the existing tariff, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan has said, referring to media reports about a potential gas price hike by Russia, which supplies natural gas.
“In my view, the media commentary is much worse than what is actually happening on the ground. On the ground, we are receiving gas supplies in a normal manner, at the established tariff, and we are working with our partners as we have done before. There is nothing additional to comment on,” Khudatyan said.
In response to a journalist’s question on whether there has been any official request regarding a tariff revision, the minister said there is no official information other than what has already been reported in the media.
He noted that on May 27, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov sent a letter to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. In the letter, the Russian side reportedly threatened that it might unilaterally suspend or cancel agreements on the supply of gas, petroleum products, and rough diamonds if Yerevan continues its EU accession process.
“No, there is no official information regarding a tariff revision other than what was published in the media about a month ago. We received a letter with that content through our Russian partner ministry, but I must again emphasize that we are managing our risks, including those related to possible price increases. Allow me not to go into too much detail, but we are managing our risks because the situation is not exactly as it may appear at first glance,” the minister noted.
Asked whether Armenia could face European-level gas prices in the future, Khudatyan said he could not predict future developments but stressed that citizens currently have no reason for concern.
“I cannot say what will happen in the future. I can say that at this moment, citizens have no reason for concern in this regard,” he said.
He added that the current contract between Armenia and Russia expires after the winter season, and contractual relations are continuing normally for now.
“We have a contract, and it expires after the winter season. There must be grounds for unilateral termination of the contract. We are working normally; we are receiving gas at the same tariff and under the same supply schedule as before,” he said.
According to the minister, working relations with Russian partners remain at a good level and there have been no changes in this regard.
“We have very good working relations with our partners. Nothing has changed in our working relations,” he noted.
Russia currently sells natural gas to Armenia for $177.50 per thousand cubic meters, while in Europe it costs up to $633 per thousand cubic meters.
Earlier in May, Moscow warned that Armenia could lose preferential Russian gas prices if it leaves the Eurasian Economic Union.