There should be a compromise package to solve the problem of energy rates, Armen Martirosyan, deputy chairman of "Heritage" party, told ArmInfo.
The actions of protest against the rise in electricity tariffs have been held in Yerevan for six days already. The protesters demand abolishing the decision to raise the tariffs and revising the previous tariffs as well. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan expressed willingness to receive the delegation of the protesters and discuss their problems, however, the activists refused that proposal. On June 23 morning, the police used special means to disperse the sit-down strike of the protesters. But on June 23 evening they gathered in Baghramayan Ave again.
According to Martirsyan, dispersing and detaining the activists have only fueled the more people to join the protest. The politician believes that the police-relying authorities are unable to digest the growing number of protesters. Therefore, the issue cannot be solved through the use of force.
In this light, he says, the only solution is to meet the demands of citizens. However, added the politician, the 250-mln-debt of a Russian-owned company is to be paid from the Armenian state budget, meaning taxpayers.
He says the reasons for such a debt are to be investigated into. The culprits must be held accountable for it in front of the whole nation.
ENA CJSC is 100% subsidiary of Inter RAO UES OJSC with an exclusive license for transmission and distribution of electric power in the territory of Armenia. The company serves 967,000 consumers.