Vanetsyan urges investigation into Azerbaijani fuel imports

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former National Security Service chief and Homeland party leader Arthur Vanetsyan has stated that the Competition Protection Commission must conduct a thorough investigation into the import of cheap gasoline from Azerbaijan. He made this comment in an interview with CivilNet.

“In the 21st century, having closed borders is absurd, but we must understand what we’re getting in return,” he said. “What are we giving up for this gasoline?”

According to Vanetsyan, this is clear economic dumping.

“At some point, they’ll sell it for 430 drams, drive all other players out of the market, then raise the price to 600 drams—but by then, no competitors will be left,” he warned.

He believes the authorities are leveraging the situation for political PR.

“They set a low price and say, ‘Look, people, Azerbaijani gasoline is cheap.’ But informed individuals know that gasoline and diesel prices are set on the exchange,” he noted. “I’ve studied the data. Over the past two months, the price of premium gasoline, based on 1,333 liters, has ranged between $670 and $700. Adding in rail transport via Georgia, excise tax, customs duty, and environmental fees, the cost of one liter of this gasoline, specifically Russian, totals about 380 drams.”

He then asked: “If the government wanted to sell it for 430 drams, could they? Of course. The same logic applies to Azerbaijani gasoline. If Azerbaijan has lowered the price, we should ask: why? Out of kindness? Transport costs are nearly identical. Now the state tells the distribution network either to generate no profit or to settle for minimal gains, and they comply. You know the saying: the only free cheese is in a mousetrap.”

Earlier, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan also addressed the issue, saying: “As far as I understand, acquiring gasoline at these prices is very beneficial for Armenian citizens. I’ve seen boycott calls, but I’ve also heard about lines forming for this fuel.”

When asked why Azerbaijan is offering cheap gasoline to Armenia, Mirzoyan responded: “Because peace has been established, and cooperation is necessary. Their cargo must cross our territory, and ours must pass through theirs.”

On December 19, a train carrying 22 wagons of gasoline from Azerbaijan’s Socar company entered Armenia.