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YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS: The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Armenia John Heffern considers the issue of the change of the gas price to be a public issue and appeals to discuss it in transparent conditions. At the briefing with the journalists held on May 22 John Heffern stated that the United States has no involvement in the negotiations between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation on the gas price. “The decision on subsidization of the gas price should be adopted by the Government of Armenia with the assistance of the National Assembly and the Armenian nation”, - said the US Ambassador to Armenia, as reported by Armenpress.
Responding to the question – if Russia tries to put pressure on Armenia raising the price for the gas – John Heffern stated that he does not want to comment on the Russia’s incentives, as Russia and Armenia are close partners.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Armenia John Heffern also touched upon the opinions that the Iranian gas is much more expensive, as the United States and the European Union put pressure on Iran. “In fact, sanctions are really imposed on Iran and unless Iran does not show that it respects its obligations concerning the nuclear programs and does not make nuclear weapons, they will be continued”, - said the US Ambassador and added that Armenia, as a UN member country, respects these sanctions and they welcome the Armenia’s actions.
Armrusgazard CJSC applied to the Public Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Armenia, offering to raise the current tariff for gas from 132,000 AMD to 221,000 AMD. It is suggested to raise the present price for the gas from 132,000 AMD to 221,000 AMD for the users (subscribers), who consume up to 10,000 normal cubic meter of gas monthly, VAT included. The Prime minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan sent an official letter to the Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia Robert Nazaryan, according to which the Government of Armenia will subsidize the gas tariff by 30%.