Hraparak: Rosneft Company rejects Nairi deal

'Hraparak’ paper writes citing its sources that Chairman of Rosneft Company Board Igor Sechin and Chairman of Gazprom OJSC Board Alexey Miller were expected to visit Armenia on October 16. The management of ArmRosGazprom Company was even going to hold a reception, but the guests didn’t arrive.

According to the paper’s sources close to Russian financial circles, the reason is that the Russian side recently forbade the deal of transferring Nairit Plant to Russia’s largest oil company.

“The Nairit problem continues to overshadow the working days of Armenian prime minister. $70 million that Rhinoville Property Limited – the owner of 90% of Nairit shares – received from CIS Interstate Bank by pledging Nairit Plant as security increased to $205-300 million in 2006, according to various estimates. The Armenian government is regularly reminded to repay that debt,” the paper notes, adding that the problem was also raised during the last visit of the Armenian prime minister to Moscow and his meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, but its solution was again postponed indefinitely.