Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijani Opposition
 Wednesday



Gazprom is unlikely to go agree to modernize the gas pipeline through
Armenia," the Georgian political scientist


Baku/10.08.17/Turan: "Cooperation in the field of energy between
Georgia and Azerbaijan has a long history. What is especially
important is the history of positive relations and it is based on the
simple fact that we need each other," Turan responded to a recent
statement about the gasification of Georgia by the new energy
minister, Ilya Eloshvili, a political analyst at the Institute for
Strategic Studies of that country Gela Vasadze.

In an interview with the local newspaper Eloshvili noted that the
process of gasification of Georgia by the Georgian "daughter" of the
State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is going according to the
schedule, and by the end of the year the obligations of SOCAR Georgia
on gas supply to 250,000 Georgian subscribers will be fully met, and
even exceed this figure. According to him, the gasification works
cover most areas outside of Tbilisi, and at the moment most of the gas
imported by Georgia comes from Azerbaijan (90%), which, since 2007,
has gradually replaced Russian gas after the pipeline explosions. In
addition, a number of SOCAR subsidiaries are successfully operating in
Georgia.

"For Georgia Azerbaijan is a source of gas, and for Azerbaijan our
country has become a road for energy exports to the world. Is there an
alternative to this cooperation? Theoretically yes. Georgia could buy
gas from Russia, and Azerbaijan could also export its energy resources
through Russia. But in either case, this means childish dependence on
the northern neighbor, and what this threatens is well known in
Tbilisi and Baku. So everything here is natural and mutually
beneficial. Of course, Georgia has an alternative opinion that it
would be good to share gas supplies and distribution in the regions.
But arguments in the way of the fact that everything should not be
given in one hand, seem do not seem very convincing," Vasadze said.

Regarding the cost of Azerbaijani "blue fuel" for Georgian consumers,
he noted that "... firstly, Georgia has a commission for regulating
energy prices, and without it no one can raise the price. Secondly,
with this level of interdependence, both sides have powerful arguments
for protecting their interests. So I do not see any threat that SOCAR
gasifies the regions, he said. As for raising the price of gas, taking
into account the inflation rate, and the fact that the price did not
rise for more than ten years, the price hike could be more serious.
But here the general fall in prices for energy carriers in world
markets affected."

Turning to the issue of the strategic relationship between the two
countries in the field of politics and economy, which is one of the
key aspects of the energy security of the neighboring country, as the
new Georgian energy minister said, it is noteworthy that Russia
receives 10% of Russian gas supplies to Armenia in Russia As payment
for its transit. "Without this cooperation, Georgia will remain
without gas, and Azerbaijan will not be able to sell its oil and gas.
Naturally, this is a key aspect of the security of both countries. For
the transit of Russian gas to Armenia, Georgia is now receiving a cash
payment. This year, Georgia buys Azerbaijani gas for this money. No
one knows what will be the next year, perhaps the scheme will be the
same," Vasadze is sure.

Touching on the resonant desire of official Yerevan to participate in
the transit of Iranian gas to Europe via Georgia, the political
scientist noted that this proposal remains at the level of
speculation: "It is unclear how realistic it is. The attitude to it
among experts in the field of energy is, of course, positive, because
the more gas pipelines, the better. Another issue is that most experts
are skeptical about the prospects of the project, primarily because
the gas transportation system of Armenia is in the hands of Gazprom,
and they are unlikely to go for the modernization of the gas pipeline
through Armenia. Why let such a competitor as Iran? In addition, the
regime of sanctions operates against Iran, as well as against Russia.
"

One should not exclude the possibility that Georgia faced a difficult
choice, on the one hand, being behind the scenes the energy and
military-political ally of Azerbaijan in the conditions of the created
geopolitical axis Baku-Tbilisi-Ankara, on the other, this neighboring
country maintains friendly relations with Armenia. At the same time,
Baku does not comment on the media reports on the agreement between
Moscow and Tbilisi to restore direct communication between Armenia and
Russia through the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Apparently, the leadership of Azerbaijan is waiting for explanations
from official Tbilisi on this issue, believe in local expert circles.
The position of our interlocutor on this issue is as follows: "There
is no such agreement, and it is unlikely to be," Vasadze said.

In general, as Eloshvili recently said, the strategic relationship
between the two countries in the field of politics and economy is one
of the key aspects of the country's energy security. At present,
Azerbaijan is the main supplier of natural gas to Georgia. The supply
of fuel is provided by SOCAR from the volumes of gas extracted from
its own fields. In addition, Georgia receives gas through the South
Caucasus gas pipeline from the Shah Deniz field.--0--