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Russia Repelled Armenia
In fact, the government has agreed to the rise of price of gas though
it promised to subsidize 30%. Tigran Sargsyan stated so who,
nevertheless, did not politicize the issue, viewing it from the social
point of view.
Meanwhile, the price of gas is primarily a political issue. First, in
order to subsidize the difference of the price the government will
have to borrow money, boosting foreign debt or increase the tax
burden. Second, gas and oil are the key tools of the foreign policy,
and profit is secondary.
In fact, the government is unlikely to continue the talks with Russia,
which means that Armenia did not agree on a compromise with Moscow
over political issues. It is also possible that Yerevan has the
assurance of the West that Armenia will be helped to overcome gas
pressure by Russia.
Assistance is good, of course, but most probably it will be another
loan. Although, it is not ruled out that other methods will be used to
handle the Russian `pipe'. In Ukraine, for example, along with shale
gas exploration Europe has created a configuration where Russian gas
runs to Europe via the Nord Stream, and Ukraine buys gas there more
cheaply than it would buy from Russia.
Now Ukraine is headed for the signing of the Association Agreement,
and gas is no longer Russia's key weapon against Ukraine. Something
similar could be offered to Armenia, therefore the Armenian government
might have agreed with this monstrous rise of price, especially that
some American companies have been licensed to seek for shale gas.
One way or another, the price of gas has caused a new wave of
anti-Russian sentiment. In general, recently the population of Armenia
has stopped believing the myth that Russia is our savior, while
Moscow's policy crushes the remains of confidence in Russia.
Press reports on forceful involvement of Armenia in the Customs Union
and Eurasian Union, the disrespectful pronouncements of Russian
politicians and experts on Armenia, Russia's intention to resolve the
Karabakh issue in favor of Azerbaijan have shattered the
Armenian-Russian `friendship'. The phrase `strategic partner' is
already used with irony.
Moscow repels Armenia whose population has always been friendly to
Russia. Armenia and Russia are tied with millions of human, economic,
business strings, and Moscow cuts those strings one after the other.
Moscow would hardly benefit economically from gas. Of course,
consumption will drop. Whereas the political losses will be
irreversible.
Naira Hayrumyan
17:21 16/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/29900
In fact, the government has agreed to the rise of price of gas though
it promised to subsidize 30%. Tigran Sargsyan stated so who,
nevertheless, did not politicize the issue, viewing it from the social
point of view.
Meanwhile, the price of gas is primarily a political issue. First, in
order to subsidize the difference of the price the government will
have to borrow money, boosting foreign debt or increase the tax
burden. Second, gas and oil are the key tools of the foreign policy,
and profit is secondary.
In fact, the government is unlikely to continue the talks with Russia,
which means that Armenia did not agree on a compromise with Moscow
over political issues. It is also possible that Yerevan has the
assurance of the West that Armenia will be helped to overcome gas
pressure by Russia.
Assistance is good, of course, but most probably it will be another
loan. Although, it is not ruled out that other methods will be used to
handle the Russian `pipe'. In Ukraine, for example, along with shale
gas exploration Europe has created a configuration where Russian gas
runs to Europe via the Nord Stream, and Ukraine buys gas there more
cheaply than it would buy from Russia.
Now Ukraine is headed for the signing of the Association Agreement,
and gas is no longer Russia's key weapon against Ukraine. Something
similar could be offered to Armenia, therefore the Armenian government
might have agreed with this monstrous rise of price, especially that
some American companies have been licensed to seek for shale gas.
One way or another, the price of gas has caused a new wave of
anti-Russian sentiment. In general, recently the population of Armenia
has stopped believing the myth that Russia is our savior, while
Moscow's policy crushes the remains of confidence in Russia.
Press reports on forceful involvement of Armenia in the Customs Union
and Eurasian Union, the disrespectful pronouncements of Russian
politicians and experts on Armenia, Russia's intention to resolve the
Karabakh issue in favor of Azerbaijan have shattered the
Armenian-Russian `friendship'. The phrase `strategic partner' is
already used with irony.
Moscow repels Armenia whose population has always been friendly to
Russia. Armenia and Russia are tied with millions of human, economic,
business strings, and Moscow cuts those strings one after the other.
Moscow would hardly benefit economically from gas. Of course,
consumption will drop. Whereas the political losses will be
irreversible.
Naira Hayrumyan
17:21 16/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/comments/view/29900