Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said there is currently no signal pointing to a possible gas price increase and therefore no reason to discuss the matter at this stage. He said the government would consider the issue if such a signal appears.
“As of now, we have received no indication, so I do not consider it appropriate to discuss the issue. When there is a signal, we will think about it. Are we considering how we would manage the situation if such an issue arises? Yes,” Pashinyan said, according to Radar.am.
The prime minister said the government has been facing similar questions almost every year since 2018. He noted that it is the executive’s job to assess possible options and calculate different scenarios, but there is no concrete basis for discussion at present.
Pashinyan stressed that the issue is raised repeatedly in public debate, which is why the government continues to examine possible developments. At the same time, he reiterated that there is currently no specific indication of a gas tariff increase.
Central Bank Governor Martin Galstyan had also commented on the issue earlier. At a September 15 news conference, he said a possible gas price increase “implies something apocalyptic,” requiring a stronger and abnormal response from the economy.
