March 2, 2011 - 19:08 AMT
Azerbaijan can’t blackmail Armenia, even if it purchases 25% of North-South gas pipeline

Georgia has assured the Armenian government that the possible sale of 25% of shares of North-South gas pipeline, via which Russian gas is supplied to Armenia, will not anyhow affect the “general management of the gas pipeline.”

Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan said in the Armenian parliament that if a part of Armenia-bound gas pipeline is purchased by a foreign company, including Azerbaijani one, it will not affect the gas pipeline exploitation matters.

“In our opinion, the sale of 25% of the gas pipeline’s shares does not pose a threat for Armenia,” the Minister said.

Even if an Azerbaijani company buys 25% of the gas pipeline’s shares, Azerbaijan will not be able to blackmail Armenia with it, concluded Movsisyan.