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If there were no prerequisites for a reduction in the tariff of Russian gas supplied to Armenia, the Armenian government would hardly apply to the Russian side regarding that issue, Armenian Minister of Economy Karen Chshmarityan told journalists after the government session today.

“The Armenian government applied to the Russian authorities, and when an answer is received, we will all learn about it.  Prices of energy resources are crucial for the economy, and it concerns not only gas.  I think it will be a mistake for our business entities – especially large consumers of gas and electricity - to miss such an opportunity, “Chshmarityan stressed.  

When asked if - in case of Russia’s refusal – Armenia could decline to import Russian gas and start importing cheaper gas from Iran, the minister replied: “These are subjects for discussion. Both sides are our partners, especially now that some sanctions against Iran have been lifted and new opportunities are opening for Armenia. This may give our economy a new lease of life”.

“This was anticipated so business meetings were held at the end of last year,” the minister added.

In his words, Iranian businessmen are interested in working with Armenia. “Iranians view Armenia first of all as a platform in order to enter Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEU) markets and also to use Armenia’s opportunities, in particular, preferential trade regimes with the EU and the U.S.,” the economy minister explained.

He added: “Armenian companies conducted negotiations with 250 Iranian companies, and some of them even opened their representative offices in Iran”.