Azerbaijan Won't Buy Russian GasDecember 27, 2006 - 14:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan's giving no answer to Gazprom in negotiations on Russian gas imports to Azerbaijan means refusing Russian gas supplies," Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said. In his words, bilateral talks between Azerbaijani and Russian energy officials held in Moscow proved fruitless. "As per the current agreement, Azerbaijan can import Russian gas till January 1. I personally think that the Azeri government will not buy Russian gas. As for alternative variants Azerbaijan holds no talks with Iran on the issue at present," Aliyev said.Gazprom announced that Russia will draw the balance of supplies for the next year without taking Azerbaijan into account. Gazprom's representatives said they will circulate 1.5 billion cu m of gas between Russian and European consumers. Besides, Azerbaijan is going to use extra gas for export what is inexpedient for the gas giant. In 2006 Azerbaijan imported 4.5 billion cu m of gas at the price of $110 for thousand cu m. In 2007 the Russian side intends to raise the price up to $235, reports APA. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |