ARMENIAN ENERGY MINISTER: ARMENIA NOT TO BUY GAS FROM TURKMENISTAN

ArmInfo
2010-04-07 19:57:00

ArmInfo. Armenia will not buy gas from Turkmenistan, Armenian
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Armenian Co-chairman of the
Armenian-Turkmen Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation,
Armen Movsisyan, told journalists, Wednesday, after the opening of
the second sitting of the Commission in Yerevan.

According to him, the transit of Turkmen gas to Armenia via the
territory of Russia will cost as much as the Russian gas being
currently received by Armenia ($180 per 1 thsd cu m – editor). Asked
whether it is possible to deliver Turkmen gas to Armenia in a shorter
way, via the territory of Iran, the minister replied that there is
no such a pipeline yet.

Construction of this pipeline requires big investments, but neither
Iran nor Turkmenistan, which have their own gas reserves, will do
that, the minister said. "As both Iran and Turkmenistan have their
own gas, I do not think these large projects will be implemented",-
he said. The minister does not rule out cooperation in delivery of
Turkmen electric power to Armenia in case it is cheaper than the
Armenian electric power, transit costs inclusive.

To note, at present Armenia buys gas from Russia. Gas from Iran is
also delivered to Armenia, however, Armenia pays for Iranian gas with
Armenian electric power at the rate of 3 KW/h of electric power against
1 cu m of gas. The minister pointed out that the first sitting of the
Commission took place in Yerevan in 2009. The sides are currently
discussing the prospects of cooperation in the spheres of health,
education, energy, trade, transport and communication.