Ignatiev: Price for Russian Gas Could be Lower

PanARMENIAN.Net - The price for the Russian gas imported to Armenia could be «more acceptable» if Yerevan had admitted the proposals of the Russian party. Denis Ignatiev, a spokesman for the state-controlled energy giant Gazprom stated January 16. Gazprom has offered not to double the price of natural gas supplied to Armenia in return for acquiring a big thermal power plant located in the central town of Hrazdan as well as participating in the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline construction. Officials in Yerevan say Gazprom has agreed to delay the enforcement of the new tariff until April 1, pending the outcome of the negotiations. The presidents of the two countries are expected to try to reach a mutually acceptable solution when they meet in Moscow next week. As reported by RFE/RL, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan said the rise in prices will not be a burden for the consumers. As for the credit offered by Russia Margaryan said, "We could borrow from the West and international organizations on much more favorable terms."