Armenia, Russia discuss gas settlements in rubles

YEREVAN. March 24 (Interfax) - Armenia is holding negotiations with Russia on paying for natural gas supplies in rubles, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said.

"Yes, it's being discussed, since the issue of currency allocation from customs duties in the EAEU is also being discussed. Naturally, countries are proposing to resolve issues concerning the instruments of foreign currency exported in large amounts for imported goods concurrently with the resolution of this issue," Grigoryan said at the 'government hour' in parliament when asked about the possibility of gas settlements in Russian rubles.

"I can't promise that the issue will be resolved, since there are objective reasons, but the issue is already being discussed publicly today. And at some stage it will become an issue on the agenda," Grigoryan said.

Russia's Gazprom is the only supplier of natural gas to Armenia that is sold to consumers. The operator of Armenia's gas transport network is Gazprom Armenia, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Russian gas giant.

The price of Russian gas for Armenia is set in U.S. dollars and it is currently $165 per 1,000 cubic meters.