
Armenia is successfully implementing its Gas for Electricity program with Iran and is discussing options to expand the arrangement, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan has said.
According to Khudatyan, the two countries have complementary energy needs: Iran requires electricity, while Armenia needs natural gas. He said the existing program has been operating successfully but still offers considerable room for expansion.
"We are successfully implementing the gas-for-electricity program at a certain volume," the minister told reporters before a meeting of the ruling Civil Contract party's executive board, commenting on new understandings reached with the Iranian side, according to Factor.am .
"The pipeline's capacity allows for larger gas volumes, and once the construction of the 400-kilovolt power transmission line is completed, it will also be possible to significantly increase electricity supplies," Khudatyan explained.
He added that the two sides had agreed to establish a special working group to determine the timetable and clarify other details.
Asked whether the initiative was an attempt to find an alternative to Russian gas amid possible price increases, Khudatyan said there was no cause for concern and described the discussions as part of a normal working process. According to the minister, this format of cooperation has existed for many years, and the current talks focus only on expanding its scope.
Commenting on domestic political issues, including discussions surrounding Hayk Konjoryan and possible reconsideration of his candidacy, Khudatyan said no such issue had been discussed within the party.
"Mr. Konjoryan has already issued a statement on this matter. I have nothing to add to it, and no such issue has been discussed," he said.
During a meeting with Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi, Khudatyan said the energy sector remains one of the key pillars of bilateral relations.
The two sides discussed a broad range of issues related to Armenia-Iran energy cooperation, including the construction of the third 400-kilovolt Armenia-Iran transmission line. They underscored the project's strategic importance for strengthening the interconnection of the two countries' energy systems, increasing cross-border electricity flows and expanding regional energy cooperation.