Armenian lawmakers ratify controversial Russian gas deal amid protests
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Armenian lawmakers ratify controversial Russian gas deal amid protests, 23 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e65a365.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 23, 2013
By RFE/RL's Armenian Service
Armenians protest in front of the National Assembly building against the ratification of the controversial gas agreement with Russia in Yerevan on December 23.
YEREVAN – The Armenian parliament has ratified a controversial natural-gas agreement with Moscow amid protests.
Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote on December 23, while the parliamentary majority representing the ruling Democratic Party voted for the agreement's ratification.
Hundreds picketed the parliament in Yerevan, protesting the ratification of the agreement signed earlier this month.
The deal gives the Russian energy giant Gazprom, which already owns 80 percent of the ArmRosgazprom Armenian-Russian joint venture, the remaining 20 percent.
Gazprom will also control all Armenian gas imports until 2043.
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian, who announced in September Yerevan's decision to join a Russian-led customs union, is expected to travel to Moscow on December 23 to take part in the session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the customs union's governing body.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
