GAZPROM TO SUPPLY GAS TO ARMENIA IF NO CONTRACT WITH GEORGIA SIGNED
by Yelena Kargina, Maria Tatevosova
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
November 7, 2006 Tuesday 12:17 PM EST
Gas will be supplied only to Armenia if Russia signs no gas contract
with Georgia, Gazprom Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev told a Tuesday
press briefing.
"I would not call that a disconnection. This is a normal market
mechanism used in case of the absence of a contract," he said.
"Georgia is able to pay for gas deliveries with assets."
"The Gazprom price policy fully meets the regional prices.
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia should not experience any
discrimination or have any privileges," he said.
Medvedev explained gas prices for Armenia with a contract signed last
year and Gazprom’s acquisition of Armenian energy assets. "Bearing
in mind these terms, gas charges on Armenia are compatible with those
on other South Caucasian countries," he said.
All countries were offered to pay for gas with their energy assets,
but "we could accept only the terms offered by Armenia," he said.
Medvedev said he hopes to reach a similar agreement with Belarus.
"There will be no more preferential gas charges," he added.