“Armen Movsisyan looks like a “Gazprom” representative in Armenia, the employee”, such opinion was expressed by Hayk Gevorgyan, commentator on economic issues of “Haykakan Zhamanak” (The Armenian Times) daily, in conversation with Aravot.am, referring to the statements on gas agreement made by Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan. Recall that Armen Movsisyan, in an interview with Tert.am, made such a statement, “As for the validity period of the agreement until the year 2043, it corresponds to the length of time during which the “Gazprom” must be able to bring its investments back, which are related to acquisition and rehabilitation of the 5th power unit, pipeline construction, expansion of gas distribution internal network. At the same time, it should be noted that “Gazprom” is now using such an approach in negotiations with all partners, which is due to the changes of international energy market, and Russia’s gas supply conditions. The policy and times change must also be taken into account in this sector.” Hayk Gevorgyan thinks it’s a classic that if you are doing investments in somewhere, you make preliminary estimations on how many years later you will get the money back. But at the same time, he stresses, “Gazprom” is a dark structure. It is impossible to precisely calculate its numbers, costs, and revenues regarding the investments to bring it back in 2043. “Armrusgasprom” is “Gazprom’s” subsidiary company in Armenia, which is a terribly inefficient structure, as it buys gas for $ 189 and sells by 380, and even under these terms, it works with a loss. And the citizens of Armenia pay for this inefficiency. It’s an absurd.” Hayk Gevorgyan notes that even anecdotes are born regarding unproductive work of “Gazprom”. Nevertheless, economic commentator concluded, “To think that it will make so much investment until 2043 to bring these costs back, is absurd.” Ara Martirosyan, economic commentator of “AZG” daily newspaper, does not agree with this opinion. He notes, “ArmRusGasprom” is not a structure working ineffectively. It made investments, and now Armenia has 97 percent of gasification. So, even if it loses, we win, we receive a country with gasification and investments. I do not think that “Gazprom” management is inefficient; it is nonsense. “Gazprom” is a whole state in Russia. As for the investments, any businessman that is making contribution, the consumers should pay for its product to bring investments back and the organization will receive revenues. It looks like a planned economy; it is different in the market economy.”
Tatev Harutyunyan
