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HRAZDAN TPP 5th UNIT DEAL HAS NO RELATION TO IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE AND ARMENIAN-IRANIAN RELATIONS, RA PRIME MINISTER STATES
Noyan Tapan
Apr 12 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The sale of the 5th power unit of the
Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant (TPP) has no relation to the construction
of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and the Armenian-Iranian relations. RA
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated this in the RA National
Assembly on April 12 when responding to a question asked by deputy
Hmayak Hovhannisian. The prime minister said that no company expressed
an intention to take part in the tender for 5th unit's sale, which was
announced in 2005, so this year Armenia had to give 5th unit to the
Russian side so that its construction will be completed. According
to him, the maintenance costs of this incompleted construction make
several hundred million drams a year. He said that the price at
which the power unit was sold was a "normal business". Noting that
no one can suspect him of instigating anti-Russian feelings, Hmayak
Hovhannisian expressed his concern over the fact that the parnership
relations between Armenia and Russia are not equal. In his opinion,
in case of transferring the Iran-Armenia gas pipleline to Russia,
Armenia will in essence be deprived of an alternative gas supply
opportunity. Thus, according to the deputy, an attempt is made to
solve political problems under the pretext of international gas
prices. A. Margarian expressed confidence that it does not matter to
whom the gas pipleline belongs. In his words, if Armenia is able to
buy gas from Turkmenistan, ArmRusgasprom is obliged to supply this
gas to the consumer. The same is true with respect to gas purchased
from Iran. At the same time, the prime minister said: "We should
discuss whether Armenia needs two gas systems - a state one and that
of ArmRusgasprom. It is a problem to be discussed in the future, and
no decision about it is made now." He noted once more that he would
not like to connect the issue of 5th unit's sale to the construction
of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and the relations of Armenia and Iran. He
informed those present that no agreement on construction of a second
gas pipleline was signed with Iran, while negotiations are underway.
Noyan Tapan
Apr 12 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The sale of the 5th power unit of the
Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant (TPP) has no relation to the construction
of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and the Armenian-Iranian relations. RA
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian stated this in the RA National
Assembly on April 12 when responding to a question asked by deputy
Hmayak Hovhannisian. The prime minister said that no company expressed
an intention to take part in the tender for 5th unit's sale, which was
announced in 2005, so this year Armenia had to give 5th unit to the
Russian side so that its construction will be completed. According
to him, the maintenance costs of this incompleted construction make
several hundred million drams a year. He said that the price at
which the power unit was sold was a "normal business". Noting that
no one can suspect him of instigating anti-Russian feelings, Hmayak
Hovhannisian expressed his concern over the fact that the parnership
relations between Armenia and Russia are not equal. In his opinion,
in case of transferring the Iran-Armenia gas pipleline to Russia,
Armenia will in essence be deprived of an alternative gas supply
opportunity. Thus, according to the deputy, an attempt is made to
solve political problems under the pretext of international gas
prices. A. Margarian expressed confidence that it does not matter to
whom the gas pipleline belongs. In his words, if Armenia is able to
buy gas from Turkmenistan, ArmRusgasprom is obliged to supply this
gas to the consumer. The same is true with respect to gas purchased
from Iran. At the same time, the prime minister said: "We should
discuss whether Armenia needs two gas systems - a state one and that
of ArmRusgasprom. It is a problem to be discussed in the future, and
no decision about it is made now." He noted once more that he would
not like to connect the issue of 5th unit's sale to the construction
of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and the relations of Armenia and Iran. He
informed those present that no agreement on construction of a second
gas pipleline was signed with Iran, while negotiations are underway.