Georgian government on gas supplies from the Caspian Sea to Europe through Georgia

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Levan Davitashvili at a briefing on November 21 at the Government Office said that the government is working on a project to supply gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe through Georgia.

According to him, in 2015 Georgia launched a project jointly with Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary, according to which “gas will be transferred to a liquid state on the territory of Georgia, and then gasified in Romania.”

“Unfortunately, this project was stopped and did not receive further development,” the Minister of Economy said and stressed that “in connection with the current processes, when Europe is especially interested in alternative sources of gas supplies, when everyone is talking about diversifying energy supplies, this year This project has taken on a special urgency.

Levan Davitashvili also explained that the government, together with partners, has begun “work on important energy and transit projects.” In this context, he recalled the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Georgia and said that the mentioned project was one of the subjects of discussion with him.

The Minister of Economy also explained that “our ministry is still holding a working meeting” around the project, and added that “Oil and Gas Corporation is participating in the project on the Georgian side, Socar will be on the Azerbaijani side, as well as our partners in Romania and Hungary.

Levan Davitashvili also noted that the project is being studied and the existing infrastructure is being assessed on the territory of Georgia and Azerbaijan. “In accordance with the state of the existing infrastructure, that is, in its improvement, the budget and timing of the project will be specified,” the Vice Prime Minister emphasized.

“This will not happen in one day and will not happen in one year,” said Levan Davitashvili, adding: “First of all, we need a complete picture … so that a detailed plan of action can be formed in the future … and gradually begin to implement this plan, including including attracting investments in this direction.

Significantly, during his visit to Georgia, European Commissioner for European Neighborhood and Enlargement Policy Oliver Varhei, at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on November 15 on potential infrastructure projects connecting Georgia with Europe, noted that a few days ago he received information that Georgia plans to build a terminal for liquefied natural gas, which, according to him, could create additional capacity for gas supplies to Europe.