Georgia is considering natural gas imports from Russian gas company Gazprom in future to meet the country's rising energy demand, Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Energy, Kaladze said 'Georgia is changing every day, developing, and its energy needs are rising. In the last three years, our energy demand has increased rapidly. If the price is right, and Georgian companies want it, we may buy Russian gas.'
The Georgian government's trade relations with Russia increased as 21 additional agreements were signed after the 2003 gas deal between the Georgian government and Gazprom despite the conflict between the two countries in 2008.
The energy minister added that it is 'unhealthy' for the Georgian opposition to question the government gas talks who viewed and them as 'a dangerous step' and protested against them during demonstrations last Saturday.
A group of demonstrators in Georgia protested against their government's talks with Gazprom in capital Tbilisi, and stated that Georgia should continue buying gas from Azerbaijan, stressing that there are no alternative resources to Azeri gas.
At the beginning of October, Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze met with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and announced their discussions on deliveries of Russian gas through Georgia to other countries.
Sharing his opinions with Georgian press on Gazprom, Kaladze recently said Georgia has to diversify its gas resources and will continue talking with Gazprom in this regard in the future.
Nearly 90 percent of Georgian domestic gas demand is met by Azerbaijan's state-owned energy company Socar.
Reporting by Davit Kachkachishvili
Writing by Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
ovunc.kutlu@aa.com.tr