Ara Simonyan: OR construction program in Armenia was postponed as result of crisisOctober 23, 2010 - 16:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ara Simonyan said that oil refinery (OR) construction is a trilateral program among the Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Gazprom and Iranian Ministry of Petroleum. The program discussion has started since 2007, Simonyan said during a discussion of the 2011 draft state budget in relevant parliamentary committees. According to Simonyan, provision of acceptable schemes for raw materials supply and long-term supplies are basic unresolved problems in the OR construction program. “Thus, it was decided to implement the first stage of the program, which is related to import of finished oil products. The program is implemented in a bilateral format – Armenia-Iran. It is expected that a progress will be recorded in this direction during the Armenian Prime Minister’s visit to Iran,” the Deputy Minister said, adding that an agreement of shareholders has been signed, with the program to be launched this year. “The program costs several billion USD. It was postponed as a result of the crisis. As for supply of oil products, it is a rather realistic program, which can be implemented shortly,” said Simonyan. He added that the oil pipeline’s length from Tabriz to Aragats makes 110km and 265km on Iran’s and Armenia’s territories respectively. Ara Simonyan noted that a terminal is constructed near Aragats, what will allow securing the country’s reserve of oil products consumption for 10-12 days. Based on the results of recent discussions, 8mm-diameter oil pipeline will be constructed, which is enough to secure Armenia’s internal consumption until 2037. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |