Georgia should not become dependent on one source of energy - US Ambassador

Georgia should not become dependent on one source of energy, - US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly told reporters.

According to him, Georgia needs to care for energy diversification.

“We have expressed our concern over the fact that Georgia should not become dependent on one source of energy and keep diversification. We are satisfied with the explanations of the Georgian government. I think Georgia does have a short-term energy need and it should talk to all potential energy suppliers”, said the Ambassador, and added that the government must be transparent about its energy policy.

As for a question of how normal it is for Georgia to have relations with Gazprom when its territories are occupied by Russia, the US diplomat said that the Georgian government can well realize the existent challenges.

SOCAR Georgia head to hold official meetings in Tbilisi today

A SOCAR representative will meet with members of the Georgian government today. Head of the Company Mahir Mamedov has already arrived in Tbilisi but he has not held official meetings yet.

As reported, the SOCAR representative will meet Georgia’s Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze today. The basic topic of the meeting will be natural gas. No official information has been reported over other meetings.

It is not known whether Mamedov will hold press-conference for media.

Bidzina Ivanishvili to start an argument against the Georgian government

Bidzina Ivanishvili is to start an argument against the Georgian government .
According to Georgian Dream coalition spokesperson Maia Fanjikidze, Skadden International law firm representatives, which arrived in Georgia on 16 and 17 July, will protect Bidzina Ivanishvili’s interests.
‘The Skadden Company prepared a legal document on behalf of Ivanishvili, which became a basis for the argument between the Georgian government and Bidzina Ivanishvili’, Fanjikidze said.
According to her, the document was submitted to the Georgian President and the Justice Ministry yesterday. As per procedures, the Georgian government has 14 days to admit to committing some type of illegality and achieve an agreement with Bidzina Ivanishvili’s advisers through peaceful negotiations.
According to lawyer Archil Kbilashvili, the document includes all the violations committed against Bidzina Ivanishvili since October last year. Due to these illegal activities Bank Kartu suffered a loss worth 119 million GEL, Kbilashvili said.
As for the 80 million GEL, paid by Ivanishvili as a fine, will not be argued, as Ivanishvili paid the money to help people hurt by the tragic storm, the lawyer said.