168 Hours: Tigran Sargsyan unveils reason of gas price increase
168 Hours touched upon yesterday’s statement of Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan that Russia imposes 30 percent export tax on natural gas supplied to Armenia, unlike Belarus.
“So, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan admits that Russia increases the price for natural gas supplied to Armenia due to the fact that Armenia refused to join the EurAsEC customs union. If Armenia, like Belarus, were a member of the customs union, then it would be exempt from a 30 percent export tax,” the paper says.
The paper adds that it is noteworthy that the Armenian government announced plans to subsidize 30 percent of the gas price. “International donor organizations will probably provide this sum, ready to pay for possible losses resulting from Armenia’s refusal to join the customs union.”