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THE "SUPER-PROJECTS" OF SARGSYAN, AND ENERGY DEPENDENCE ON RUSSIA
AsiaNews.it
10/20/2008 17:35
Italy
ARMENIA
Armenian President Sargsyan announces "ambitious economic projects,"
like a new rail line to Iran, and a nuclear power plant. Debate
is growing over whether this means an intention to break free from
Russian control, or to solidify it. Experts: Yerevan does not import
gas from Iran because Moscow "doesn't want this."
Yerevan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
speaking to parliament on October 2, stated that "the time has come
for Armenia to implement ambitious economic projects, super-projects,"
including a new rail line to Iran and a new nuclear power plant,
which will soon be begun by an investment foundation "that will fund
large-scale programs." Meanwhile, no details are being provided about
these projects, and discussion is growing about whether they represent
a desire to break free from Russian hegemony, or to solidify it.
The news agency Eurasianet reports that opposition member of
parliament Stepan Safarian, a supporter of closer relations with
the West, maintains that "an attempt is being made to strengthen
Armenia's foreign policy." Armenia's invitation for a visit from
Turkish President Abdullah Gul last September is also interpreted in
this light.
But Sevak Sarukhanian, deputy director of Yerevan's Noravank
Foundation for Strategic Research, observes that "on the contrary,
it will deepen Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation, since Russia
will have its share in both construction projects." He notes that
the country's railway system is already managed by Russian Railways,
and that Armenia depends on Moscow for nuclear fuel and technology
for its existing nuclear facilities.
And above all it must be remembered that about 80% of Armenia's
electrical grid is under direct Russian control, including the
hydroelectric facility in Hrazdan, one of the largest in the southern
Caucusus.
Years ago, Yerevan announced the opening of the 140-kilometer
gas pipeline from Iran, to bring 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas
into Armenia each year, to be increased to 2.3 billion by 2019. The
project is strongly supported by Tehran, which is believed to want to
create a pathway for its own gas into Europe. On October 7, Rasoul
Salmani, director of Iran's national gas company, announced that
it would begin working on October 13. For each cubic meter of gas,
Armenia must pay 3 kilowatt hours of electricity. But following this,
Lusine Harutiunian, a spokeswoman for Armenia's energy ministry,
said that the country already has enough energy provided by Russia
through Georgia (2 billion cubic meters of gas in 2007), and that
"there is no need to import additional gas," adding that she does not
know when Iranian gas would begin to be used. In any case, it would
be converted to electricity and given back.
Analyst David Petrosian comments that "it is clear that Armenia
refused to receive Iranian gas as a result of Russian pressure. Russia
controls almost the entire energy system of Armenia through its state
corporation. It seeks to keep Armenia in a state of dependence. Armenia
will receive gas from Iran only when Russian gas is in short supply."
AsiaNews.it
10/20/2008 17:35
Italy
ARMENIA
Armenian President Sargsyan announces "ambitious economic projects,"
like a new rail line to Iran, and a nuclear power plant. Debate
is growing over whether this means an intention to break free from
Russian control, or to solidify it. Experts: Yerevan does not import
gas from Iran because Moscow "doesn't want this."
Yerevan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
speaking to parliament on October 2, stated that "the time has come
for Armenia to implement ambitious economic projects, super-projects,"
including a new rail line to Iran and a new nuclear power plant,
which will soon be begun by an investment foundation "that will fund
large-scale programs." Meanwhile, no details are being provided about
these projects, and discussion is growing about whether they represent
a desire to break free from Russian hegemony, or to solidify it.
The news agency Eurasianet reports that opposition member of
parliament Stepan Safarian, a supporter of closer relations with
the West, maintains that "an attempt is being made to strengthen
Armenia's foreign policy." Armenia's invitation for a visit from
Turkish President Abdullah Gul last September is also interpreted in
this light.
But Sevak Sarukhanian, deputy director of Yerevan's Noravank
Foundation for Strategic Research, observes that "on the contrary,
it will deepen Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation, since Russia
will have its share in both construction projects." He notes that
the country's railway system is already managed by Russian Railways,
and that Armenia depends on Moscow for nuclear fuel and technology
for its existing nuclear facilities.
And above all it must be remembered that about 80% of Armenia's
electrical grid is under direct Russian control, including the
hydroelectric facility in Hrazdan, one of the largest in the southern
Caucusus.
Years ago, Yerevan announced the opening of the 140-kilometer
gas pipeline from Iran, to bring 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas
into Armenia each year, to be increased to 2.3 billion by 2019. The
project is strongly supported by Tehran, which is believed to want to
create a pathway for its own gas into Europe. On October 7, Rasoul
Salmani, director of Iran's national gas company, announced that
it would begin working on October 13. For each cubic meter of gas,
Armenia must pay 3 kilowatt hours of electricity. But following this,
Lusine Harutiunian, a spokeswoman for Armenia's energy ministry,
said that the country already has enough energy provided by Russia
through Georgia (2 billion cubic meters of gas in 2007), and that
"there is no need to import additional gas," adding that she does not
know when Iranian gas would begin to be used. In any case, it would
be converted to electricity and given back.
Analyst David Petrosian comments that "it is clear that Armenia
refused to receive Iranian gas as a result of Russian pressure. Russia
controls almost the entire energy system of Armenia through its state
corporation. It seeks to keep Armenia in a state of dependence. Armenia
will receive gas from Iran only when Russian gas is in short supply."