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NATIONALIZATION OF GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS - NEED OF THE HOUR
Anyway, Gazprom wants to get all 100% of the gas distribution
networks in Armenia. Now it already owns 80%, but the remaining 20%
which is now owned by the government of Armenia, allows the country
make a difference.
One could ask why Gazprom wants the 100% of the shares, if it still
makes Armenia act as it wishes. Apparently, the whole thing is in
geopolitics. Fundamental changes are expected in the region, and it
may happen that very soon Armenia will decide not to buy gas from
Russia, but, say, from Iran. It is quite likely after the election
as president of Iran of Hassan Rouhani, who is a moderate conservative.
On the first day of election, Iranian president stated that he is
going to normalize relations with the West. International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) issued a statement today noting that sanctions on Iran
are senseless. Mitigation of U.S. sanctions is also possible. No
accident Russian press reported that Iran is going to lay a gas
pipeline through Armenia into Georgia with an access to the Black Sea.
This would mean that the West will prefer cooperation with Iran to
the gas monopoly of Russia. It is clear that if the pipeline is laid,
Armenia will become a transit country, but if Gazprom owns all gas
distribution networks of Armenia, the company will come out to be
the transporter.
The Russian gas monster is manipulating prices in Armenia: it sells gas
on the Armenian border, ostensibly, at prices cheaper than European,
but imposes such a margin through ARG that the consumer pays for more
expensive gas than in Europe. However, the contract with Gazprom
is kept secret from everyone and no one knows at what price it is
sold. Just as no one knows how much costs the Iranian gas to Gazprom
which it receives again at the border.
Now Russia decided to fully isolate Armenia from regional energy
projects. It does not leave any other way out to Yerevan but to
nationalize the distribution networks. The Armenian parliament could
discuss this issue and decide to nationalize or to refuse the Russian
gas at all. For this, of course, strong political will and support
are necessary. Iran has already hinted that it is ready to support
Armenia. The U.S. does not hide either that it would like the Armenian
energy sphere to be diversified.
Gasprom is gradually losing sale volumes in Europe, so it is
orientating towards the East. It will do whatever not to lose
the Armenian market to have the monopoly to transfer the Iranian
gas. But for the beginning, Moscow will block all regional projects
like it stops now the efforts of the West to open communications in
the region. While the U.S. and Europe are trying to force Azerbaijan
to open communications without the settlement of the Karabakh issue,
Russia is selling flame thrower tanks to Azerbaijan.
Naira Hayrumyan 11:57 18/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/politics/view/30195
Anyway, Gazprom wants to get all 100% of the gas distribution
networks in Armenia. Now it already owns 80%, but the remaining 20%
which is now owned by the government of Armenia, allows the country
make a difference.
One could ask why Gazprom wants the 100% of the shares, if it still
makes Armenia act as it wishes. Apparently, the whole thing is in
geopolitics. Fundamental changes are expected in the region, and it
may happen that very soon Armenia will decide not to buy gas from
Russia, but, say, from Iran. It is quite likely after the election
as president of Iran of Hassan Rouhani, who is a moderate conservative.
On the first day of election, Iranian president stated that he is
going to normalize relations with the West. International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) issued a statement today noting that sanctions on Iran
are senseless. Mitigation of U.S. sanctions is also possible. No
accident Russian press reported that Iran is going to lay a gas
pipeline through Armenia into Georgia with an access to the Black Sea.
This would mean that the West will prefer cooperation with Iran to
the gas monopoly of Russia. It is clear that if the pipeline is laid,
Armenia will become a transit country, but if Gazprom owns all gas
distribution networks of Armenia, the company will come out to be
the transporter.
The Russian gas monster is manipulating prices in Armenia: it sells gas
on the Armenian border, ostensibly, at prices cheaper than European,
but imposes such a margin through ARG that the consumer pays for more
expensive gas than in Europe. However, the contract with Gazprom
is kept secret from everyone and no one knows at what price it is
sold. Just as no one knows how much costs the Iranian gas to Gazprom
which it receives again at the border.
Now Russia decided to fully isolate Armenia from regional energy
projects. It does not leave any other way out to Yerevan but to
nationalize the distribution networks. The Armenian parliament could
discuss this issue and decide to nationalize or to refuse the Russian
gas at all. For this, of course, strong political will and support
are necessary. Iran has already hinted that it is ready to support
Armenia. The U.S. does not hide either that it would like the Armenian
energy sphere to be diversified.
Gasprom is gradually losing sale volumes in Europe, so it is
orientating towards the East. It will do whatever not to lose
the Armenian market to have the monopoly to transfer the Iranian
gas. But for the beginning, Moscow will block all regional projects
like it stops now the efforts of the West to open communications in
the region. While the U.S. and Europe are trying to force Azerbaijan
to open communications without the settlement of the Karabakh issue,
Russia is selling flame thrower tanks to Azerbaijan.
Naira Hayrumyan 11:57 18/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/politics/view/30195