Russian energy supplier checks Armenia in Yerevan after protests – RBC

participants of a large-scale protest against the increase in electricity tariffs in Yerevan, Armenia

Photo: AFP

The ability to audit the company “Electric Networks of Armenia”, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Maxim Sokolov discussed Friday at a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia. This is the correspondent of RBC.

Sargsyan expressed hope that the Russian side is interested in the situation in the companies that operate in Armenia, and to control the situation. In response, Sokolov said that will be organized by the audit company “Electric Networks of Armenia”, 100% owned by the Russian “Inter RAO”. Sargsyan noted that it would be the right solution.

It is expected that the audit will be conducted under the supervision of the intergovernmental commission. By checking attract experts and representatives from both sides for maximum transparency in the process.

In addition to the agreement on the audit at a meeting of the intergovernmental commission agreed to grant a soft loan to Armenia by Russia for weapons of $ 200 million. The parties also agreed that the investigation and the judicial investigation in the case of soldier Valery Permjakova will be transferred to the Armenian side. After the tragedy in Gyumri, the civil society of the country required a review of the case by the Armenian investigative bodies.

The meeting of the intergovernmental commission are not announced in the media. Representative Sokolov told RBC that the meeting was planned long ago, but the announcement in the media did not really have.

The meeting with Sokolov Sargsyan held against the backdrop of the longest since 2008, protests in the cities of Armenia. On Friday in Yerevan and other Armenian cities continued protest against the increase from August 1, the tariff for electricity. Mass protest comes a week.

June 17, the Commission on Regulation of Public Services of Armenia granted the request in part the distribution of “Electric Networks of Armenia” and ordered from August 1 to increase the electricity tariff to 6.93 drams (about 70 kopeks. ) per 1 kWh. The current rate is 41.85 drams per 1 kWh per day and 31.85 for 1 kWh – the night (4.8 and 3.65 rubles., Respectively). “The main reason for this decision – currency fluctuations,” – he said at a meeting of the representative of the Commission Garegin Baghramyan. The operator of “Electric Networks of Armenia” is 100% owned by the Russian “Inter RAO”.