Will Armenia Be Able to Reach an Agreement on Gas Prices with Iran? - Meeting between Pashinyan and Rouhani

As the presiding country in the EEU, it is important for us that the free trade agreement between the EEU and Iran is undergoing ratification in the parliaments. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan mentioned this during a joint press conference with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on February 27.

He specifically noted:

“It seems that it will enter into force during our presidency. This will open new opportunities for increasing our trade turnover and for our countries’ business communities. We should encourage our business circles to take advantage of these opportunities.

Of course, our cooperation in the energy sector is important. The president mentioned that there is a willingness on Iran's part to increase the volume of gas supplied to Armenia. Here, of course, it is important that we can agree on the price during further discussions and negotiations. This is a fundamentally important issue regarding the attractiveness of the deal. We hope that our representatives will conduct effective negotiations in this direction.

Overall, it was important to note what we recorded during the negotiations: that we should consider bilateral relations in a broader context and implement projects that will have regional significance.

Armenia is ready to develop transit cooperation with Iran and be a transit country for Iranian gas. The establishment of an energy corridor also holds significant importance both bilaterally and regionally, as well as in a broader context. For the resolution of these issues, there is political will; it is hoped that the implementation process in the negotiations will be successful.

At this moment, our discussions give grounds to say that our visit is proceeding successfully, and we mutually record that we should base our actions on the logic of strengthening our friendly relations and their atmosphere.