RUSSIA TO HIKE GAS PRICE FOR ARMENIA
Kommersant
Sep. 23, 2008
Russia
Russia’s gas for Armenia’s clients will cost $154/ths cu meters
starting from April 1, 2009 vs. today’s $110/ths cu meters,
Armrosgazprom CEO Karen Karapetyan announced Tuesday, in time of the
meeting with Armenian President Serge Sargsyan, Interfax reported.
So, the increase will be as much as 40 percent and it will be only
the beginning. The price will soar to $200/ths cu meters from April
1, 2010, Karapetyan said. The growth will be in line with the price
increase on Russia’s energy market, but Armenia is expected to shift
to European prices from 2011. The forthcoming increase in gas prices
won’t reduce hydrocarbon consumption, Karapetyan assured.
Armenia’s president responded that the logic of negotiations with
Gazprom was based on the gradual increase in gas prices, which enables
the nation and the business to foresee the future. The growth in
prices won’t significantly affect the population, Sargsyan promised,
pointing out that it will create brilliant opportunity for the business
to improve competitive ability.
Sargsyan urged Armrosgazprom to actively proceed with Armenia’s
gasification.
Russia’s gas monopoly Gazprom inked in September of 2008 the contract
for gas supplies to Armenia in 2009 and 2010. Gazprom supplied 2.05
billion cu meters in 2007.