Tbilisi and Gazprom agree on new terms for transit of natural gas to Armenia
11.01.2017,
16:26
The government of Georgia will sign a two-year agreement with Russian Gazprom Export on new terms of the transit of Russian gas to Armenia, providing for the transition to monetization of the gas transit fee.
YEREVAN, January 11. /ARKA/. The government of Georgia will sign a two-year agreement with Russian Gazprom Export on new terms of the transit of Russian gas to Armenia, providing for the transition to monetization of the gas transit fee.
Georgian energy minister Kakha Kaladze, who negotiated the deal with Gazprom Export executives yesterday in Minsk, Belarus, told Georgian reporters upon his arrival in Tbilisi that as a result of several rounds of talks the sides reached ‘the best option.’ He said the Georgian government had discussed January 10 evening this new option and decided to sign the agreement. According to Kaladze, the agreement will not increase Georgia's dependence on Russian energy resources.
"We are shifting to monetization of the payment of transit fee only," Kaladze said.
Last year following lengthy negotiations an agreement was signed by Georgia and Gazprom under which Georgia maintained the existing transit terms – 10% of gas transported through Georgia to Armenia. As for the transit fee, the minister said it will be one of the highest in Europe.
"Also, we have the opportunity, if necessary, to receive additional volumes of natural gas at a discounted price of $185 per one thousand cubic meters instead of the current $215", the minister said.
The minister did not specify the cost of transit of Russian gas, but said that from a financial point of view, Georgia achieved approximately the same result when Russia paid by natural gas.
Georgia consumes about 2.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, receiving the bulk from Azerbaijan. -- 0--
Georgian energy minister Kakha Kaladze, who negotiated the deal with Gazprom Export executives yesterday in Minsk, Belarus, told Georgian reporters upon his arrival in Tbilisi that as a result of several rounds of talks the sides reached ‘the best option.’ He said the Georgian government had discussed January 10 evening this new option and decided to sign the agreement. According to Kaladze, the agreement will not increase Georgia's dependence on Russian energy resources.
"We are shifting to monetization of the payment of transit fee only," Kaladze said.
Last year following lengthy negotiations an agreement was signed by Georgia and Gazprom under which Georgia maintained the existing transit terms – 10% of gas transported through Georgia to Armenia. As for the transit fee, the minister said it will be one of the highest in Europe.
"Also, we have the opportunity, if necessary, to receive additional volumes of natural gas at a discounted price of $185 per one thousand cubic meters instead of the current $215", the minister said.
The minister did not specify the cost of transit of Russian gas, but said that from a financial point of view, Georgia achieved approximately the same result when Russia paid by natural gas.
Georgia consumes about 2.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, receiving the bulk from Azerbaijan. -- 0--
