Armenia’s acting PM, Russia’s president discuss gas price in St. Petersburg

Armenia’s acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President of Russia Vladimir Putin discussed gas supply price during their meeting in St. Petersburg, acting energy infrastructures and natural resources minister Garegin Baghramyan told the reporters after cabinet sitting today.

“The negotiations still proceed. No arrangement has been reached yet,” Baghramyan said.

As to the expiration of the contract in the end of the year, the acting minister said it will automatically be extended.

“The expiration of the contract is not an issue as it may be extended until the current negotiations are completed,” he said, adding that the negotiations are rather complicated and lasting.

“As far as there is no arrangement, we will have what we have today,” Baghramyan said.

“The gas price will remain the same from January 1. I repeat we cannot tell anything about gas tariff until the negotiations are over and the gas price between the parties is set,” the acting minister said.

As to the possibility to change the tariff in the middle of the year, Baghramyan said that they are free to review the tariff any time after the negotiations are completed.

“We are negotiating for reducing the price and not the opposite. The negotiations proceed in mutually beneficial and friendly atmosphere,” the acting minister stressed.