Gas price reduction negotiations under way-minister

Levon Yolyan, Armenia’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources told reporters on Monday that the gas price for Armenia will remain US $165 for 1,000 cubic meters until April 1, 2016.

“Negotiations for a price reduction are in progress,” the minister said.

The public will be informed as soon as the situation is clear.

Mr Yolyan does not think that the gas price for Armenia will be raised up to US $189 for 1,000 cubic meters under a new agreement.

“We’ll inform you of the final agreements in the near future,” Mr Yolyan said.

Armenian Deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan’s stated recently that the gas price was on the agenda of the Armenian-Russian presidential meeting envisaged a discussion of the gas price. According to Mr Kocharyan, a draft agreement is read and expected to be signed.

The minister declined comments as he was not informed of the statement.

Asked if he noticed a possibility of obstacles in accompanying Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan during his visit to Moscow, Mr Yolyan said:

“They initially discussed the largest possible gas price reduction, which issue is being discussed with Gazprom and Russia’s government.”

The Russian side showed a positive attitude to discussing the issue.

As regards the talks about Armenia paying for Russian gas in terms of Russian rubles, Mr Yolyan said that US dollar payments are being negotiated.