Haykakan Zhamanak: Negotiations on gas price reduction fail

Armenia officials’ statements arouse such suspicions.

Armenian Premier Hovik Abrahamyan spoke of the gas price in opening the cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“Dear Gasprom Armenia, you are extracting superprofits, but consumption is decreasing.

Just reduce the gas price, and consumption will increase and you will continue receiving your profits,” he said.

The premier’s statement suggests to the public that the government is taking steps to have the gas price reduced.

It also indicates that the Russian side it is seeking public support and shaping public demand for a gas price reduction.

Results are difficult to forecast. Russia is supplying gas to Armenia at US $165 per 1,000 cubic meters, with the price for Europe being US $180.