PM: Selling of Gas Pipelines not on Agenda

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said while speaking at the parliamentary session on December 22 that the Russian energy giant Gazprom is interested in purchasing Georgia?s major gas pipeline network.

?But this is not currently on the agenda and [the issue] still needs to be discussed and if we find it appropriate we will take decision later,? PM Nogaideli said.

Georgia has a binding commitment not to sell its gas pipeline network at least before 2010.

According to the Millennium Challenge Compact signed between Georgia and the United States, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation on September 12, the Georgian government undertook a commitment not to sell its major gas pipeline system until the expiration of the agreement?s term ? 2010.

The Georgian government also has no right to sell or transfer controlling shares in the Georgian Gas International Corporation, a state-run company which operates the gas pipeline system in the country.

The U.S. allocated USD 49.5 million, through Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) assistance program, towards rehabilitating the gas pipeline system.

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