Gas Prices Will Not Increase, Armenia Will Not Become a Province to Keep Them Low, Chakoyan Says

YEREVAN — Taron Chakoyan, a member of Armenia’s National Assembly from the ruling Civil Contract faction, published a video on Facebook responding to claims made by leaders of the Strong Armenia party that natural gas prices in Armenia could increase.

Chakoyan accused the political force of spreading false claims, referring to its earlier statements concerning the alleged arrival of 300,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia.

“The political force circulating the false claim about 300,000 Azerbaijanis is now saying that gas prices will rise. In reality, they are sending a signal to their gas-supplying masters to raise prices so that they can use it as an opportunity to seize power,” Chakoyan said.

He dismissed the possibility of an increase in gas prices, saying existing agreements provide safeguards against such a development.

“Let me disappoint them: gas prices in Armenia will not increase because there are agreements in place. But even if they do increase, Armenia will not become a province simply to keep gas prices from rising,” Chakoyan said.