Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 17 2005
Armenia faces energy crisis
Armenia is facing energy and fuel crisis, as prices for automobile
gasoline have doubled, diesel fuel increased 1.5 times, while those
on stove heating oil and liquid gas 1.6 times.
Today, AI-95 brand gasoline sells in Armenia for $1.6, while AI-93
and AI-72 brands for $1.2 and $1 respectively.
Experts explain Armenia’s energy crises with the detention of trains
with transit cargoes which are transported to Armenia through
Azerbaijan and Georgia, on the Azeri-Georgian border and a relevant
investigation being carried out by the Azerbaijan State Customs
Committee.
An official from Armenian Energy Ministry Bagam Terbekian told the
local press that the country’s fuel reserves are getting exhausted.
Whereas 20,000 tons of gasoline was daily imported from Georgia, the
figure is currently 3,000 tons, he said.
Amidst the crisis, Iran has reduced the export of fuel to Armenia.
Terbekian said the reasons for the move are uncertain and that the
government will seriously examine the situation.
A new agreement on cargo transportation will be signed by the
Azerbaijani and Georgian customs agencies shortly. The agreement
includes a special provision which bans transporting cargoes going
through Azerbaijan to Armenia through Georgia.*
