RA Minister of Energy refrains from presenting governmental policy in field of gas to NA

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Minister of Energy Armen Movsisyan said that increase in prices for gas always raises concern of population. It is an acute problem in such countries as Armenia, which is importing gas, said Movsisyan with respect to the ARF Dashnaktsutyun party’s inquiry on the country’s policy in the field of gas.

According to the Minister, the inquiry of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun basically referred to technical and commercial aspects of the problem, but not to the general concept of the government in the field of gas.

Member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group Artsvik Minasyan noted that answers of the government suggest that the state does not have certain mechanisms for the protection of consumers’ rights. “The price for gas will continue increasing, what is proved by GazProm policy in various countries,” said Minasyan.

He offered the parliament to adopt a decision obliging the government to submit concept of its policy in the field of gas to the RA National Assembly within 20 days. However, Movsisyan did not agree with it, saying that relevant discussions with the parliament can be organized instead of it.

Gas tariffs were increased by 37% as per decision of the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia starting from April 1. The decision caused indignation of Armenia’s population and a range of political forces. Specifically, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun opposition party created a workgroup to study the validity of this increase. The workgroup will publish its conclusions after a thorough study of all matters.