2024-07-03 11:40:51
Paying for Russian gas in rubles is beneficial for Armenia to the extent that there will be no need to buy dollars from international banks or funds, and then pay the Russians in dollars. We can make an agreement with the Russian side, buy rubles in drams at the Moscow stock exchange and pay with them. the advantage of paying in rubles is this: simplifying the payment system and excluding additional currency between the parties, energy expert Armen Manvelyan said in a conversation with the Aysor.am reporter.
“However, the calculation will remain the same. “From April 1, the price of gas at the border has become approximately 178 dollars, and that 178 dollars will remain, it will be paid not in dollars, but in rubles, according to the dollar-ruble ratio of the day,” he said.
According to the specialist, the new system can be beneficial for Armenia if a common gas market is created and Armenia, as a member of EAEU, starts buying gas in rubles at Russian domestic prices.
“Oh, it will really be a benefit because the prices will go down for us. Otherwise, at the moment, the change does not have any positive effect on the ordinary consumer, because, I repeat, we are not in a common market with Russia, but we are just gas buyers,” he said.
Armen Manvelyan reminded that when we look at the EAEU charter, we see that the main goal is the creation of a common energy market, which, however, is still being delayed.
“According to various plans, the project can be implemented in 2024,” he said.
To remind, RA Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan told RBC that Armenia pays for Russian gas in rubles.
He also noted that pricing is done in dollars, but payment is made in rubles.