Yerevan confirms receipt of Russian gas warning

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerevan has received a letter from Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov addressed to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.

“As of 3:00 p.m., the letter addressed to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure has been received. It has been forwarded for review, and the Armenian side will respond if necessary,” Armenian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Ani Badalyan said, according to Sputnik Armenia.

Earlier, Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan stated that Yerevan had not received any document from Russia’s Energy Ministry regarding the possible termination of gas agreements.

On May 27, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Russian Embassy in Armenia had officially delivered a letter from Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov to the Armenian side. The letter warned of the possible suspension or unilateral cancellation of an agreement signed in December 2013 if Armenia continues the process of joining the European Union.

The agreement concerns cooperation in the supply of natural gas, petroleum products and unprocessed natural diamonds.

Commenting on gas supplies to Armenia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that preferential tariffs are one of the forms of Russian support. According to him, any discounts are provided at Russia’s expense and are viewed as assistance to a brotherly country.