RUSSIA READY TO CUT GAS PRICE FOR ARMENIA IN 2010 – OFFICIAL
Interfax
Oct 20 2009
Russia
Russia is ready to reduce the price it charges Armenia for natural
gas to $180 per 1,000 cubic meters in 2010, Armrosgazprom CEO and
General Director Karen Karapetyan told journalists on Tuesday.
"We are engaged in talks with Gazprom today. Under a tentative
agreement, Armenia will pay $180 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas
starting from April 1, 2010, as compared with the previously agreed
$200. Negotiations continue. But we are formulating our development
strategy bearing in mind the price of $180," Karapetyan said.
The company head denied Russian media reports that Russia was allegedly
ready to make concessions regarding gas prices in exchange for a
monopoly over the construction or management of a new nuclear power
generating unit in Armenia.
"Talks on gas prices have nothing to do with the construction of a
nuclear power plant," he added.
Armenia has been paying $154 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian natural
gas since April 1, 2009. The previous price was $110. Armenia received
2.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia last year.
In 2009, Armenia also expects to see a 15% drop in its gas consumption
as compared with 2008, Karapetyan said.
A 22% decline in Armenia’s natural gas consumption has been reported
recently, apparently leaving Armrosgazprom without profit.
In these conditions, the company does not plan to raise its gas prices
because it will increase the burden on consumers and will force the
market to continue to shrink, the company head said.