Speaker: Commission for gas issues to be created soon

The proposal of four factions of the National Assembly to set up a commission for examination of gas issues was appropriate and the parliamentary majority should accept it, the deputy of Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction Hrant Bagratian said in the Armenian parliament today.

The parliamentary speaker Hovik Abrahamian agreed to Bagratian’s statement, noting that he deems it necessary to discuss the gas issues.

“I agree that we should debate all the issues. We will soon create an opportunity to set up the commission proposed by you. All the issues will be discussed. I want to ask all the political parties to take an active part in discussions,” H. Abrahamian said.

We would remind you that on February 3 the four non-pro-government factions of the Armenian parliament – ARFD, Prosperous Armenia (BHK), Armenian National Congress (HAK), and Heritage factions launched a signature collection campaign for the creation of an ad hoc commission to examine $300 million gas debt accumulated by Armenia and determine the reasons for the difference between the wholesale and retail prices of natural gas. The factions proposed including representatives of various political forces in the commission. On February 5 the Armenian parliament voted down the proposal on the commission. 44 deputies voted in favor, 58 against.