June 26, 2003 - 22:28 AMT
GAS-MAIN FROM RUSSIA TO GEORGIA AND ARMENIA REQUIRES INVESTMENTS OF MANY MILLIONS
The gas-main through which Russian gas is imported to Georgia and Armenia is being in a very hard condition and requires investments of many millions. Georgian minister of energy David Mirtskhulava told "Arminfo" agency. In his words, Russian "Gasprom" is ready to make these investments, as Georgia does not possess such funds. In his turn, chairman of the Georgian parliamentary branch-wise economy committee Demur Giorkhelidze noted that "Gasprom" will make its entry to Georgia only as a realizator on the commercial basis. In his words, the issue of passing a sector of the gas-main to the Russian monopolist does not exist. Giorkhelidze added that it is more profitable for Georgia to develop relations with "Gasprom" than with other private companies including "Itera".