MP says gas deal with Russia’s Gazprom in line with Armenia’s national
interests
Noyan Tapan news agency
7 Apr 06
Yerevan, 7 April: The sale of the fifth power unit of the Razdan power
station to Russia with the aim to soften the consequences of raising
the gas price proceeded from Armenia’s national interests, Mger
Shakhgeldyan, the chairman of defence, national security and internal
affairs commission of parliament and deputy chairman of the Orinats
Yerkir [Law-Governed Country] Party told journalists today.
He said that state control over the energy sphere is certainly
preferable. “However, it is about national interests. We think that
national interests should be on the first place,” he said.
Shakhgeldyan pointed that it is important to diversify energy sources
to ensure energy security which is a crucial component of the
country’s security. He also noted the importance of the construction
of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.
[Passage omitted: Shakhgeldyan said that hike in the gas price will
not affect most of the population]
Asked by our correspondent whether there is a guarantee that the fifth
power unit will be put in operation, taking into account the
inactivity of the enterprises handed over to Russia within the
framework of the property-for-debt programme five years ago,
Shakhgeldyan said: “As legislative state, we have raised and will
continue raising this issue.”
He said that the Armenian MPs have always told their Russian
counterpart that these enterprises should be put unto operation,
because there are certain expectation that this will happen. “In this
case, we will do our best in order for the investments to be made,”
Shakhgeldyan said.