Armenia seeks foreign partners for management of Electric Networks firm UPDATED

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that the government has reached out to several leading foreign companies from friendly nations regarding the future management of the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), which is being nationalised following the arrest of its owner, Samvel Karapetyan.

Speaking at a press conference, Pashinyan said that official requests had already been sent to a number of international firms, expressing Armenia’s interest in potential cooperation over the management of the ENA, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

 Armenia would not consider such cooperation with countries with which it lacks diplomatic relations, open borders, or other forms of formal engagement, he said, comming on the possibility of transferring management of the company to a private foreign firm, including companies from Türkiye. 

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The Armenian government intends to take over the management of Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC, but the move will not necessarily result in long-term state control of the company, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a press conference on July 16.

Pashinyan clarified that the nationalisation process does not imply permanent state management. The company, currently owned by the Russian-Armenian Tashir Group, will be subject to a transitional arrangement focused on improving oversight and efficiency, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

“We are talking about outsourcing, but our task is to find the most effective manager while ensuring clear public and state oversight,” the prime minister stated.

Earlier, Pashinyan had announced the government’s intention to nationalise Electric Networks of Armenia as part of broader reforms in the country’s energy sector.

By Sabina Mammadli