Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr I. Khalilova / The Azerbaijani Economic Development Ministry is waiting on fixing the date for examining the lawsuit against Barmek company by the Economic Court on Disputes Arising from International Contracts, said the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan, Mikail Jabbarov.
The lawsuit was initiated in compliance with the accord on management of Barmek, Baku Electricity Network, and Sumgayit Electricity Network. "Unfortunately, the trial at the Azerbaijani court is artificially delayed by Barmek," he said. In Jabbarov's opinion, Barmek makes use of any loopholes in the Azerbaijani remedial legislation with the hopes that the examination of the case will be suspended.
"We consider the only reason for the delays is the unwillingness to participate in the trial due to availability of serious evidence for the lawsuit to be ruled in our favour," Jabbarov noted.
"Anyway, the term is expiring and we hope that the court will consider the case properly," he added.
The lawsuit requires indemnifying Barmek's damage in the amount of AZN 30mln.
Barmek has two types of debts. The first one is for its electrical consumption in 2006, which was not paid by the company at all. The other debt is for the electricity offered on a lax cost, but the company is to launch the payback starting from 2008. According to the contract, Barmek Azerbaijan was to gradually increase the level of payment for electricity to 50%, 55%, 60%, 75% (since 2005) and up to 100% starting from 2006.