CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN STRIP OF ARMENIA-IRAN GAS-MAIN TO BEGIN SOON

RIA Novosti, Russia
Nov 26 2004

YEREVAN, November 26 (RIA Novosti’S Hamlet Matevosyan) -The ceremony
of launching the construction of the Armenian strip Megri-Kadjaran
of the Iran-Armenia gas-main will take place on November 30, reports
the Iranian embassy in Moscow.

“The construction of the 42kilometere-long strip of the gas-main 700
millimetres in diametre will begin in Armenia from the Megri-Kadjaran
strip,” said Levon Vardanyan of the Armenian Energy Industry
Ministry. Finances for the construction of the said strip will be
provided by Iran in accordance with the available agreements while
the remaining strip to Ararat and Yerevan will be built later.

The agreement signed by Armenia and Iran on May 13, 2004, provides
for the construction of an Iran-Armenia gas-main whereby Armenia
will receive 36 billion cubic metres of Iranian gas over a period
of 20 years, with 1.1 billion cubic metres a year, in exchange for
electricity.

The gas-main project with a length of 141 kilometres (41 kilometres
across the territory of Armenia and 100 kilometres across the
territory of Iran) is planned to be completed at the end of 2006.
Early estimates indicate that the Armenian side will invest about
$90 million while Iran’s share will be some $120 million.

The gas-main running from Teheran to Yerevan across the Megri strip of
the border between the two states will also enable transit deliveries
of Turkmen gas to Armenia via Iran.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress