First Shipment of Azerbaijani Fuel to Arrive in Armenia
‘We Are Conducting Business Instead of War,’ Declares Armenia’s Economy Minister
The first supply of Azerbaijani fuel to Armenia has left Baku and will travel through Georgia before arriving at it destination in Yerevan, Azerbaijani government sources announced Thursday. This move was welcomed by Prime Minster Nikol Pashinyan and Armenia’s Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan.
Some 22 railcars carrying about 380,000 gallons of Azerbaijani fuel from the state-run SOCAR company left the Baku Freight Station, the state-run APA news agency reported on Thursday.
According to the APA, the first batch of petroleum products is being shipped based on an agreement reached during a meeting on November 28 in Gabala between Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and his Armenian counterpart Mher Grigoryan.
In confirming the news, Pashinyan welcomed the shipment, emphasizing that the deal was between a private Armenian company and SOCAR.
“The trade is taking place between private companies. But, of course, it is the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan that has created the political conditions for this trade,” Pashinyan said, adding that there have also been agreements at the political level, the details of which will be communicated to the business circles of both countries. “If there is sufficient interest, deals will be made,” he added.
Regarding the likelihood of continuing cooperation with Azerbaijan for the import of oil products, Pashinyan explained that there are certain issues related to tariffs for transit through Georgian territory. Georgia decided to not charge tariffs for this inaugural export as a sign of support for the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“If these issues are not resolved, I hope that businesses will seek alternative ways to ensure imports and exports, should these deals continue to be of interest,” said Pashinyan.
Papoyan, Armenia’s Economy Minister, sounded a more upbeat note on Thursday, declaring “we are conducting business instead of war,” praising the peace process for prospects of economic advantages he sees through the deal between Yerevan and Baku.
The fact that peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Papoyan said in an interview with Azatutyun.am, is evident on several levels. “Not only are the sides no longer shooting at each other, soldiers are not dying, and there are no shootings in the villages at all, but business is also working. And when people make money, it means that peace has won there,” he said.
The Azerbaijani side also spoke about the peace process on Thurday, noting that the export of gasoline from Azerbaijan to Armenia shows that the peace process is not only declarative in nature, but also receives practical reflection, bringing economic dividends.
In an interview with Azatutyun.am Papoyan said the gasoline imported to Armenia is of high quality.
“If it brings in business, and prices go down, then it becomes competitive. If prices do not go down, I suppose businesses will not import it,” Papoyan said, in response to a question regarding the compatibility of Azerbaijan fuel.
Papoyan did not specify the name of the company, which made this inaugural deal, saying that an announcement will be made once the fuel arrives in Armenia.
