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WILL RUSSIA CUT GAS PRICE?
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/economy27557.html
Published: 12:38:04 - 01/10/2012
The information on negotiations to review the gas price for Armenia
passed unheeded as focus is on Vartan Oskanian. This information came
from the Public Services Regulatory Commission. Nothing specific has
been stated though.
The first and foremost issue is whether the gas price will grow or
drop. Almost everyone in Armenia is sure the prices will go up and
the issue is how much. However, under the current electoral situation,
Russia may cut the price with a view to supporting its candidate.
Russia has not expressed its preference yet, as well as whether it
wants the current administration to lose the election. It is evident
that by boosting the price Russia will facilitate the collapse of Serzh
Sargsyan's administration because it will trigger economic decline
and protests. But, on the other hand, this may enhance anti-Russian
moods in Armenia which are already there.
Moscow cannot but understand that the boosted price of gas will
lead to consolidation of pro-Western political forces around Serzh
Sargsyan. Hence, Moscow may nevertheless cut the price referring it to
the merits of the candidate Moscow will support. By the way, it can
be Serzh Sargsyan. Cut price of gas may be the best "neutralization"
of Sargsyan's pro-Western course.
Russia may boost the price only in case it has no more hope to
maitain its influence on Armenia. By boosting the price Moscow will
just punch Armenia and the West, forcing Western foundations to shell
out for gas supplied to Armenia.
From: A. Papazian
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/economy27557.html
Published: 12:38:04 - 01/10/2012
The information on negotiations to review the gas price for Armenia
passed unheeded as focus is on Vartan Oskanian. This information came
from the Public Services Regulatory Commission. Nothing specific has
been stated though.
The first and foremost issue is whether the gas price will grow or
drop. Almost everyone in Armenia is sure the prices will go up and
the issue is how much. However, under the current electoral situation,
Russia may cut the price with a view to supporting its candidate.
Russia has not expressed its preference yet, as well as whether it
wants the current administration to lose the election. It is evident
that by boosting the price Russia will facilitate the collapse of Serzh
Sargsyan's administration because it will trigger economic decline
and protests. But, on the other hand, this may enhance anti-Russian
moods in Armenia which are already there.
Moscow cannot but understand that the boosted price of gas will
lead to consolidation of pro-Western political forces around Serzh
Sargsyan. Hence, Moscow may nevertheless cut the price referring it to
the merits of the candidate Moscow will support. By the way, it can
be Serzh Sargsyan. Cut price of gas may be the best "neutralization"
of Sargsyan's pro-Western course.
Russia may boost the price only in case it has no more hope to
maitain its influence on Armenia. By boosting the price Moscow will
just punch Armenia and the West, forcing Western foundations to shell
out for gas supplied to Armenia.
From: A. Papazian