Putin’s Armenia visit summary: Karabakh, gas price, NPP, hi-tech ties

PanARMENIAN.Net - The results of the state visit of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Armenia were summarized at a Monday, December 2 joint news conference with President Serzh Sargsyan.

12 bilateral agreements were singed during the presidential visit, including a deal on forming the price for Russian gas supplies to Armenia and transfer of the remaining 20% of the ArmRosGazprom CJSC authorized capital to Russia’s RosGazprom. The deals inked also covered cooperation in nuclear security provision and supply of annual 2,5 billion cubic meters of gas in 2014-2018. As Putin noted in this context, the Russia-supplied gas will be priced at $189 per 1000 cubic meters, with Moscow to offer a number of discounts before Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union, including cancellation of a 30% export duty for oil and oil products.

As President Sargsyan told a news conference, this week, parliament will ratify a military cooperation agreement, enabling Armenia to purchase Russian weaponry at domestic prices. The Armenian leader also informed Putin on Armenia’s activities ahead of joining the CU and unified economic space, with the Russian President pledging Moscow’s assistance.

Also, the parties agreed to continue efforts to boost trade and Russian investments in Armenia, create joint enterprises, promote scientific and hi-tech cooperation. As Russian President noted, extension of the operation life of Armenian nuclear power plant is planned, with Hrazdan thermal power plant operations already launched.

The Karabakh conflict settlement was also on the visit agenda, with Russia welcoming the renewal of direct talks between Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. Putin further vowed to continue efforts to promote political settlement of the issue.

Asked about Russia’s actions in case of a possible Azeri aggression, Putin noted that even hypothetical discussion of the matter would be counterproductive: “the more often we repeat those words, the less chances we have for peaceful settlement.” “We hope for both sides to show common sense and will to solve the conflict,” Putin concluded, yet again urging for political and diplomatic settlement.