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.