Friday, June 26 2015 09:41

INTER RAO OJSC, the parent company of the Electric Networks of Armenia  (ENA) CJSC, could take a stricter control of its Armenian subsidiary, Sergey Markedonov, a Russian political analyst, told ArmInfo. 

"It is evident that the tariffs and other current issues are not determined by a call from the Kremlin.  However, realizing that the issue is going beyond economy and touching Russia's political interests, Moscow should pay attention to its allied relations with Armenia - the country that interested in it - rather than to its 'financial crops.' After all, there are no guarantees that Armenia will always seek such alliance," he said. 

Markedonov is sure that the Armenian citizens are discontented at their authorities first and foremost. As to their discontent at Russia - ENA is a subsidiary of the Russian INTER RAO UES - it comes down to foreign economic relations, not foreign policy.  

In this light, the analyst believes that demands for a higher management transparency and quality at the Russian-owned company are grounded. Otherwise, the social protest may be politicized in a way quite unfavorable to Russia.

"Consequently, instead of searching 'Ukrainian militants' on the Baghramyan Ave in Yerevan, Moscow must improve the formats of its economic presence in the ally country. Moscow must monitor the situation before another thunder," the analyst said. 

It is noteworthy that INTER RAO Company considers the youth protest movement in Armenia an exclusively political movement.  Meantime, it was ENA's 150 million drams debt that made the public services watchdog of Armenia to raise the electricity price by 6.93 drams starting August 1 2015 (instead of ENA's requested 17 drams).  
The decision triggered nation-wide protests in Armenia. A sit-in on the Baghramyan Ave continues for already 7th day.  Thousands have blocked the avenue.  The Police patrols at the scene.