IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPLELINE SALE AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA WILL BE SIGNED ON DECEMBER 31, INDEPENDENT ECONOMIST SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Apr 13 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Gasprom has become an owner of a 82%
stake of ArmRusgasprom, which means that Armenia has no right to
impose a veto on ArmRusgasprom’s decisions. Independent economist
Eduard Aghajanov stated this during the April 13 press conference. In
his words, there is no economic benefit in this deal, since in case of
operation of the 5th power unit of Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant with
Iran, Armenia woull have received huge economic dividents. According
to him, the Armenian section of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was also
given to Russia which means that there is no longer a hope that
Armenia will become a transit country in the future. In the opinion
of E. Aghajanov, energy security and independence of a country may be
insured only if this country has an alternative. In this sense, not
only Russia but also Iran should have been on the Armenian market. As
for RA Defence Minister Serge Sargsian’s statement that the 5th unit
is “a 3-storied building with only its basement being completed”,
RA National Assembly deputy Manuk Gasparian noted that the cooling
system of the power unit is currently functioning and the 5th unit
considered as a “half-built basement” cost the Armenian authorities
218 mln USD. M. Gasparian said that a preliminary agreement on sale
of the Armenian section of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be signed
with Russia on April 14, while the final agreement – on December
31. According to him, it means that Armenia will not receive money
in the event that gas is supplied through its territory.