Epress.am News from Armenia
Secretary of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, Aram Manukyan, during the period of statements in Armenia's National Assembly, identified 4 violations that were made in the sale of the Vorotan Hydro Cascade complex earlier this year. According to him, the Armenian government sold the complex for an obviously low price, bypassing the National Assembly and Water Code and harming relations with Iran.
"The hydro cascade was sold for $180 million when a conservative estimate of its real value is about ten times more — plus the cost of the three hydroelectric power plants, the diversion tunnels serving them, and other infrastructure. Proof of this is that, through corruption, a looting of national wealth of a disgraceful scale took place, which is a felony.
"Second, according to the Water Code of the Republic of Armenia, the reservoirs cannot be privatized — those laws were also violated. Third, the government tried to bypass the National Assembly. The sales plan should've been submitted to parliament for discussion. It was first presented in privatization program, and subsequently withdrawn," he said.
According to him, the final violation is that the political factor was not taken into account; in particular, that the transaction may adversely affect relations with Iran.
Appendix 4.03 of the sale contract stipulates that Vorotan's infrastructure cannot be used in energy supply processes from Iran.