May 18, 2013 - 19:26 AMT
Free Democrats party says gas price hike politically motivated

Free Democrats party has described the hike in gas prices by ArmRosgasprom CJSC of political, rather than of economic nature.

According to the party, Russian authorities always deemed gas as a tool to solution to problems related to external entities, with the tool repeatedly aimed against Armenia.

“We are confident that Russia aims to exert pressure on Armenia in terms of the Association Agreement with the EU. The price rise will negatively affect the situation in Armenia, causing large emigration flows,” the party’s statement reads.

Free Democrats urges Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission to reject ArmRosgasprom’s statement, calling on RA authorities to take steps aimed at the creation of alternative energy sources.

Earlier, ArmRosgasprom CJSC addressed Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission with an offer to reconsider natural gas prices, as well as the prices for the services of gas supply operator (ArmRosgasprom CJSC), gas distribution (ArmRosgasprom CJSC) and gas transportation (Transgas CJSC and ArmRosgasprom).

According to the company’s press service, the current price for consumers of up to 10 thous. cubic meters a month is set at AMD 132 thous. for every 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas (VAT), with the offered price to total AMD 221 (VAT included).

The current price for the services of the gas supply system operator grosses AMD 20.618 (VAT included), with the offered price for each thous. cubic meters of natural gas to total 33.695 (VAT included). The current price for the natural gas distribution is set at AMD 13709.698 (VAT included), with the offered price to total 26638.071 (VAT included). The current price for the transportation of one thous. cubic meters of natural gas is set at AMD 6948266 (VAT included), with the offered price to gross AMD 12989.186 (VAT included).