Gazprom Armenia head sees no risks for Armenia regarding Georgian government`s possible sale of main gas line shares to Azerbaijan`s SOCAR

ArmInfo. Gazprom Armenia CJSC  Director General Hrant Tadevosyan sees no risks for Armenia regarding  the Georgian government's possible sale of 25% of shares of the main  gas line to Azerbaijan's SOCAR.     

He said that many countries receive gas in transit; therefore, the  beneficiary country should not worry about who is the owner of the  transit pipeline because any business is primarily aimed at obtaining  commercial benefit. "If we consider the issue from the viewpoint of  international standards, then the results of the sale of 25% of JSC  Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation will create no problems for Armenia,  especially as Georgia, Armenia and other countries have a number of  international commitments and they have signed certain contracts and  agreements," Tadevosyan said.      

As regards possible technical problems, Tadevosyan said that in case  the need arises to increase the capacity of the gas pipeline,  investments will become relevant. 

To note, earlier the Georgian media reported, citing Georgian Prime  Minister Irakli Kvirikashvili that in case of a favorable situation,  the Georgian government will put on sale 25% of shares of JSC  Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation and the Georgian Railway.   Azerbaijan's SOCAR has already expressed an intention to buy the gas  pipeline.   

Russian gas is supplied to Armenia via that pipeline, which is of  strategic importance. So, the further possible scenarios raise the  Armenian side's concerns.