IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION IN LATE 2006, RA ENERGY MINISTER ASSURES

Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will
be put into operation this year, the RA Minister of Energy Armen
Movsisian stated in the parliament on October 25. According to him,
the gas pipeline’s construction was to be completed in March 2007,
but by mutual consent with the Iranian side it was decided to finish
the construction work this year. Responding to reporters’ questions,
the RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian denied the rumors about
transferring the Irna-Armenia gas pipeline to Russia. "We are not
speaking about sale," he noted. In his words, Armenia may make an
investment in the authorized capital, or do so jointly with Russia. He
said that ArmRusgazprom is already operating in the country, it would
be logical to create two gas distribution networks simultaneously. "If
we succeed in putting the pipe under pressure and receiving gas,
discussions will be more precise," A. Margarian noted. He assured
that the Iranian side is also informed about any negotiation on the
gas pipeline with the Russian side.