There is too much noise around the Gazprom issue - Giorgi Kvirikashvili

There is too much noise around the Gazprom issue - Giorgi Kvirikashvili According to Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, too much noise has been created around the Gazprom issue.

As Kvirikashvili told reporters in Davos, the Gazprom talks are purely technical and they do not have any political meaning.

"As for the gas supply issue, I heard many allegations about Kakha Kaladze and the government. I would like to say that our government is committed to protect the interests of our country. Too much noise has been created around the Gazprom issue. The Gazprom talks are purely technical and they do not have any political meaning”, said the PM.

According to him, there is no need to discuss the issue at the Security Council meeting.

Giorgi Kandelaki, the member of the National Movement, called on the President of Georgia today to summon a special session of the National Security Council to discuss the Gazprom issue.

Energy Minister holds another meeting with Gazprom leadership

Georgia’s Minister of Energy Kakha Kaladze has held another meeting with the Gazprom leadership in Vienna, Austria.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the working meeting was held in Vienna between the Gazprom representatives and Georgian side. The subject of the agreement has not changed and the process continues in order the parties to agree on conditions.

As per the Minister of Energy Gazprom offers an ultimatum to Georgia.

As Kakha Kaladze said two days ago at the TV Programme Archevani, the Georgian side is strictly against the Gazprom demand about paying price of gas to Georgia not by raw material but money. Though the company openly says that otherwise he will provide Armenia with gas via Iran.

‘Today Gazprom is able to provide 1 billion cubic meter gas to Armenia via Iran and after implementing certain investments it can fully satisfy the Armenian market. This is threat for us and will have dangerous results in terms of energetic situation,’ Kaladze said.

There is still some uncertainty with regard to the Gazprom issue – Head of Presidential Administration

According to the Head of the Presidential Administration, Giorgi Abashishvili, transparency and public awareness should be provided in the Gazprom negotiations.

As Abashishvili told journalists, last year the President addressed the government to discuss the Gazprom issue at the governmental meeting with his participation.

"The main point of this address was to ensure greater transparency and public awareness in this very sensitive issue. Today, when we see that there is still some uncertainty and when we still hear questions from the public, our position is unchanged. We believe that maximal transparency and public awareness should be ensured in this process", - said Abashishvili.

Gazprom presented an ultimatum to Georgia - Kakha Kaladze

According to Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze, Gazprom has presented an ultimatum to Georgia.

As the Minister said on Rustavi 2 TV yesterday, the Georgian side expressed categorical opposition to the Gazprom ultimatum that the price for the conveyed gas be paid by money, but the company indicated that in other case they would import Iranian gas through Armenia.

"You know that today 10 % of the conveyed volume of gas is given to Georgia. However, Gazprom has presented an ultimatum to move to financial payment. This was news for us. We categorically objected to this, though they directly indicated that they can import Iranian gas through Armenia.

There really exist such a danger and its consequences will be very grave for us”, said Kaladze.

Next round of Gazprom talks to be held in Vienna

The next round of Gazprom talks will be held in Austria, - Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said on Rustavi 2 TV yesterday.

He said that the public will be informed about the details after the completion of the negotiations.

"The next meeting will be held in Vienna. I will take part in the meeting and will try to bring the results that will be acceptable and important for our country and our industry. The meeting will not be attended by Mr. Miller. As far as I am informed, Ms Burmistova will attend the meeting instead of him. After the meeting, I will provide you with the details", - said Kakha Kaladze.

According to him, increase in gas price is ruled out at this stage.

“We don’t expect increase in gas price. You know how it happens – gas price reduces when oil price drops. So, I rule out any increase in gas price at this stage”, said the Minister.