Pashinyan hopes to resolve Russian gas price issue in 2019

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed hope that the price issue of Russian gas supplied to Armenia will be possible to resolve in 2019.

Speaking to TASS, Pashinyan noted that negotiations over the issue are ongoing.

“This is important for the development of bilateral relations not only with Russia but also the entire EEU. Because the entire idea of the EEU is to create a single economic environment. In order for this single economic environment to be realized, it is necessary for the prices of energy carriers, which have an important role in the cost price of products, to be equal and close to one another. Because, if for example, the cost price of one product will be higher in Armenia than for example in Belarus, Russia or Kazakhstan, because of the price of energy carriers, then this will basically hit the idea of the EEU,” Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan said this issue is under discussion not only with Russian partners but also in the EEU intergovernmental and supreme economic council sessions, as well as other formats.

Since January 1, 2019, the tariffs of gas supplied from Russia grew from 150 to 165 USD per 1000 cubmic meters. However, the Armenian PM said consumers will continue paying the previous price.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan