Azernews.Az

By Fatma Babayeva

Georgia does not depend on Russia as much as it used to be in the past, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia said at the International Energy Forum in Tbilisi on June 9.

He made the remark while answering the question over Georgian authorities’ relation with Gazprom, Ria Novosti reported.

The Prime Minister noted that Georgia and Gazprom held negotiations of a technical nature, which culminated in the agreement.

In April, Georgia and Russia’s state energy giant Gazprom have signed a deal to extend the gas transit agreement under the long-standing terms involving paying Tbilisi 10% of Russian gas, transported to Armenia via Georgia.

Kvirikashvili further stated that the contract on energy was signed with Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR on more favorable terms.

In March 2016, SOCAR signed an agreement with the Georgian government on additional supplies of natural gas in the amount of 463 million cubic meters.

Azerbaijan is the main gas importer to Georgia. The country’s annual gas consumption stands at 2.4 bcm. Some 750 to 800 mcm of the gas is being supplied from the Shah Deniz field to Georgia annually, 1.4 bcm by SOCAR, and 200 mcm by Russia.

Kvirikashvili also emphasized a key role of Azerbaijan in ensuring energy security of not only Georgia, but also the whole world.

He noted that the Great Silk Road and Baku-Supsa energy corridor laid the foundation of Georgia`s energy map.

"The basis of our development constituted by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi Erzurum railway project, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, commissioning of which is provided at the end of the year. The projects "Shah Deniz" and "South-Caucasus gas pipeline" will not only enhance our energy security, but also play an important role in improving the welfare of our peoples,” he said.

Georgia and Azerbaijan has been close allies in the region for a long time. A new gas infrastructure project of Azerbaijan that will connect the Caspian to Europe (Southern Gas Corridor) will also pass through Georgia.

Azerbaijan invested $137 million in Georgia`s economy in the first quarter of 2016, according to the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

Azerbaijan is followed by Turkey and UK, who made $57 million and $44 million of investment respectively in Georgia’s economy.

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Fatma Babayeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Fatma_Babayeva

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