Gazprom, Georgia Discuss Gas Price, Debt Repayment
Starting in 2006, the Russian energy giant Gazprom will increase gas prices for Georgia, up from the current price of USD 62.5 per 1000 cubic meters to the western European level – approximately USD 110 per 1000 cubic meters – Gazprom said in a press release issued on September 7.
Gazprom also demands that Georgia repay its USD 12 million debt, accumulated for non-payment of gas tariffs in recent years, before January, 2006.
?Tariffs for transit of Russian gas through the Georgian territory [into Armenia] will also be calculated in accordance to the international norm,? Gazprom announced.
Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri held talks over these issues with top executives from Gazexport, which is the Gazprom?s subsidiary company, in Moscow on September 7.
According to Gazprom, the sides discussed potential long-term cooperation between the two sides and agreed that the Georgian side will present a balance of consumption of gas in Georgia for next 10 years, a schedule for repayment of the current debt, as well as proposals over Gazprom?s participation in those investment projects which are related with the energy sector before September 19.
The Georgian government and Gazprom, which is the major supplier of gas to Georgia, signed an agreement on a 25-year strategic cooperation plan in 2003.
?The Georgian side stated that it considers Gazprom a strategic partner and is ready for long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation,? reads the statement released by the Russian gas giant.
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