ENERGY MINISTER: RUSSIAN GAS TARIFF FOR ARMENIA WILL MAKE UP $189 IN CASE OF ARMENIA'S ACCESSION TO CUSTOMS UNION
by Ashot Safaryan
Tuesday, October 8, 15:36
Russian gas tariff for Armenia will make up $189 in case of Armenia's
accession to the Customs Union, Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources of Armenia Armen Movsisyan told media, Tuesday. He recalled
that the negotiations for a 30% subsidy of the gas tariff by Russia had
been held yet before Yerevan's decision to access the Customs Union.
"Now that agreement will be significantly simplified. This means
that the gas export tax in Russia will not apply to Armenia. It
makes up some 30% of the gas tariff. If Armenia refused to join the
Customs Union the current tariff - $270 per 1000 cu m - would be left
unchanged. Meanwhile, in case of accessing the Union, the tariff will
be reduced to $189. Gas will be delivered to Armenia nearly on the
tariffs operating in Russia plus transit costs," the minister said.
He said that the tariff will not be increased in future. Neither will
it be reduced. In response to ArmInfo's question about the fate of
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the minister said that it is an alternative
gas pipeline from the viewpoint of the country's energy security, but
it is not alternative from the viewpoint of economic efficiency. The
minister said that Iranian gas costs $150 higher than the Russian.
Speaking of the date and terms of Armenia's accession to the Customs
Union, Movsisyan said that a huge work is yet to be done; nearly 120
documents are to be coordinated and signed. "I cannot announce any
date," he said.
The minister does not think the gas factor determining in the decision
to join the CU. It is necessary to assess the economic possibilities
of Armenia more realistically, as the key sales market of the Armenian
products is Russia. This situation will not change for another 15-20
years, he said.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=D724AD20-300D-11E3-BAE20EB7C0D21663
by Ashot Safaryan
Tuesday, October 8, 15:36
Russian gas tariff for Armenia will make up $189 in case of Armenia's
accession to the Customs Union, Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources of Armenia Armen Movsisyan told media, Tuesday. He recalled
that the negotiations for a 30% subsidy of the gas tariff by Russia had
been held yet before Yerevan's decision to access the Customs Union.
"Now that agreement will be significantly simplified. This means
that the gas export tax in Russia will not apply to Armenia. It
makes up some 30% of the gas tariff. If Armenia refused to join the
Customs Union the current tariff - $270 per 1000 cu m - would be left
unchanged. Meanwhile, in case of accessing the Union, the tariff will
be reduced to $189. Gas will be delivered to Armenia nearly on the
tariffs operating in Russia plus transit costs," the minister said.
He said that the tariff will not be increased in future. Neither will
it be reduced. In response to ArmInfo's question about the fate of
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, the minister said that it is an alternative
gas pipeline from the viewpoint of the country's energy security, but
it is not alternative from the viewpoint of economic efficiency. The
minister said that Iranian gas costs $150 higher than the Russian.
Speaking of the date and terms of Armenia's accession to the Customs
Union, Movsisyan said that a huge work is yet to be done; nearly 120
documents are to be coordinated and signed. "I cannot announce any
date," he said.
The minister does not think the gas factor determining in the decision
to join the CU. It is necessary to assess the economic possibilities
of Armenia more realistically, as the key sales market of the Armenian
products is Russia. This situation will not change for another 15-20
years, he said.
http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=D724AD20-300D-11E3-BAE20EB7C0D21663