Meghri-Kajaran sector of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to be sold to “Gasprom Armenia”
Today at the NA the Armenian National Congress (HAK) deputies have been active during the discussion of last year’s state budget. Faction Head Levon Zurabyan addressed a question to Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ara Simonyan about Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, “Currently it is in the balance sheet of the ENA. I want to understand why the amortization expenses have been included in the price?” He also inquired about “Nairit” plant by noting that the RA Government has applied to the World Bank in order to carry out technical and financial research for overcoming the current situation and deciding the future of the plant: further exploitation of “Nairit” plant has been considered inappropriate. Why has the Government applied to the WB? Which company has carried out the audit? Is the Government aware that such audits have been carried out for many times? What findings have been made?” Mr. Simonyan noted that the first sector of the gas pipeline- Meghri-Kajaran, may be sold to “Gasprom Armenia”, “There is a preliminary agreement, as that sector was built by its own investments. As to the price, I will try to find out more information. As to the WB, it is one of the main partners of our Government. The audit of “Nairit” plant has been carried out by “Jacobs” company, which formerly carried out an audit with the order of a Russian company. It is a popular company in the sphere of audit.” Levon Zurabyan responded that it isn’t clear why the Government has initiated another audit, “Why isn’t the latest research of the same company published? Why doesn’t the Government solve the issue transparently? Soon I will present revelations by presenting the real motives of the Government’s actions.” Ara Simonyan noted that he is aware that in 2011-2012 “Jacobs” company made an audit and is aware of the data, “The data of “Nairit” plant’s latest audit are available, they may be presented and discussed at the subcommittee. “Jacobs” is one of the most popular and experienced companies in the world, which can make an unbiased audit.”
