Nothing to celebrate on Georgia-Gazprom deal

The Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili has stated Georgia has “nothing to celebrate” about the recently achieved Georgia-Gazprom deal, which envisages monetary compensation instead of receiving in kind gas for Russia’s gas transit to Armenia via Georgia.

In previous years, Georgia received 10 percent of all gas Russia transported to Armenia through Georgian territory.

However, as Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze has stated this year, “Russia demanded” that Georgia accept money and not gas for the service.

Kaladze refrained from naming the amount of money Russia would pay. However, it was stated the money was less than the price of the gas Georgia was receiving free of charge.

In his comments, the Energy Minister stressed it was an “optimal decision” for Georgia, as receiving money for such a service was an “international practice.”

He also said Georgia would get “one of the highest prices” in Europe for the service.

The information has caused an outcry and critical statements towards the Government of Georgia.

Kvirikashvili stated “no one has displayed the solution”, Kakha Kaladze among them, as beneficial for Georgia, and that the Government of Georgia “doesn’t love our country less than any of its citizens”.

The PM said as much information in the document as possible would be made public.

The Government of Georgia and the Prime Minister had to make additional explanations over the issue, as their prior statements over the topic were made with the tone as if Georgia achieved some success and that it was a profitable outcome for Georgia.

Russia is anoccupant country, which occupies 20% of Georgia’s lands, and Georgia previously had a deal with Russia whichtruly was beneficial for Georgia.

Now the situation has changed, and the population of Georgia has the right to have accurate information over a deal the country has signed with the Russian Federation, which has threatened Georgia’s interests and rights for many years.