Ex-Prime Minister of Armenia: Russia made a cheap shot

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In the context of the current level of relations between Armenia and Russia, the increase of gas price is a cheap shot, stated ex-Prime Minister of Armenia, MP and head of the National Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan to a REGNUM correspondent. He said that Russia now has two main potentials – military and energy that Russia uses to satisfy its imperial ambitions to maintain and strengthen the control over adjacent countries, put them under control. After raising the price on gas, Russia will purchase oil and gas pipelines and energy systems of dependent countries.

According to the politician, prices on gas should be inertial, and their increase in 2-3 times is beyond all economical schemes. The Armenian economy is in ruins, the country is blockaded by Azerbaijan and Turkey, so the rise of gas price made production of some kinds of goods unprofitable, for example in chemical industry. Also, someone can use such situation in his own political interests.

Speaking about the statement of Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, who said that country's government does everything possible to maintain the current living standards despite the new gas price, Manukyan noted that one-time subsidies for the citizens are possible, but the economy cannot be established this way. Regarding the fact, that Russia plans to grant a credit to Armenia, to pay for gas, the Armenian politician said that such credits are a debtor's prison that Armenia would not leave, because Russia behaves like a money-lender, and not like a real Western political power.

Also, Manukyan pointed at the necessity of further intensification of cooperation with Iran in energy sphere, especially in construction of gas pipeline Iran-Armenia. Armenia is interested in stability in the region, and in diplomatic solution on the Iranian nuclear program. “Our relation must be based on what is profitable, and not on what we have been told to do,” concluded Manukyan.