Political analyst Gagik Hambaryan, continuing to talk about clarifications voiced by the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, at the VHD Union Board session, said about the gas price, “Surprisingly, our president continues to insist that The Republic of Armenia is receiving the cheapest gas from the RF. First of all, Belarus gets gas at the cheapest prices, 1,000 cubic meters of gas is sold to the Belarusian population at 166 dollars, this is number one. Secondly, what about the fact that the gas in the Republic of Armenia must be 189 dollars for the period of 5 years, we would be very happy if the gas in our country were sold at 189 dollars. In fact, the gas in the Republic of Armenia is sold at 393 dollars, 110 percent more than the gas entering Armenia. In other words, Russia is giving us at 189 dollars, “Gasprom Armenia” is selling it at 110 percent more. How can one say that the citizen of Armenia should be happy? He is not happy at all. It is also possible to explain how the gas price was formed. I see an absurd figure there. They are stating 10% loss, in the case, when, as said by the employees of Gazprom, the monthly loss should not exceed 2%, well, then where is 8 percent going to? In other words, we can say that “Gazprom Armenia” sells the 8% at a different price to very wealthy people who have to heat their palaces. I would be very happy if the same “Gazprom Armenia” releases a list of how much money per month is paid by the oligarchs of the Republic of Armenia, current and former mayors, and officials, and you will see that it is a shameful figure. The matter does not concern only the capital, but throughout the Republic. The entire Gyumri knows who is paying for gas, and who is not, the residents are well aware about it. The matter is that the ordinary citizen is paying from their pockets for the expenses of more socially provided people. It should also be noted that since 1 January 2014, the Russian Federation has suspended the tax for export of 30% of the incoming gas to Armenia, anyway, the price for ordinary people does not go down,” says the political scientist. With regard to 300 million dollars gas debt, according to Gagik Hambaryan, the President let a slip, “The President keeps saying that Armenia’s consumer, consumers, belong to two types: legal entities and individuals. Thus, saying Armenia’s consumer is a little slip, because entrepreneurs in Armenia are also consumers. Most probably, our President meant more the individuals that Russia has raised the gas price, but the individuals have paid at the former price. Hence, we should say thank you that this fact was revealed now and not 10 years later, otherwise it would be found out that we owe 1 billion dollars to Gazprom instead of 300 million dollars, right? In short, in the end of 2011-2013, we borrow 100 million dollars per annum from Gazprom, but no one tell us about it, and if 10 years later it was accidentally revealed, it would turn that owe 1 billion dollars to Gazprom, right? And how were we supposed to pay this amount? Or, what does it mean saying that we sold the 20 percent at a good price? It was wrong from the beginning that we began to lose our percents in “ARG””. As said by Gagik Hambaryan, it will be good for Russia to make substantial investments in its other monopoly industries: railroad, and electricity network. “These investments are not tangible for the people, and the fact that we have to thank the agreement was not signed for 60 years, it was not also a little bit correct. It seems to me that we should not allow any international corporation with a monopoly stance to deal with whatever it wants in our own home. This is also a problem. It can be said that illogical and very rude mistakes are allowed. I do not know why Mr. President wants to convince that we are getting gas at the cheapest price, maybe Armenia is getting the cheapest gas price, but what’s the benefit of people,” says Gagik Hambaryan.
Nune AREVSHATYAN
