TBILISI (News.az)—A source in the Georgian government has confirmed information that the North-South gas pipeline which links Russia and Armenia will likely be acquired in part by the Azerbaijan state oil and gas company—(SOCAR)—reported the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.
The newspaper’s sources in Tblisi said: “Because of the economic crisis, Georgia has decided to take the North-South pipeline off the list of strategic assets not to be privatized. Observers in Tblisi say the new owner of the pipeline is 99 percent likely to be SOCAR.”
“Last month, the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev conducted negotiations on the topic with Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili,” reported Hurriyet, explaining that if this were in fact true, Baku would control the tap of Armenian energy. “Yerevan is seriously concerned that the gas pipeline may end up in the hands of Azerbaijan,” added the article.
On July 6, the Georgian parliament passed a resolution on privatizing the pipeline, including the portion that supplies gas to Armenia.
another reason for Armenia to refrain from a new war.
This is near a declaration of war by Georgia onto Armenia. It is short sighted and totally ignores Armenia’s Interests. I am furious at the step taken by Georgia. Armenia must give a solid response to this, including but not limited to annexing Armenia via Akerkalaki through South Ossetia. (Russia).
What is this ?! A joke ?
Ohhh how nice, give the source of our energy into the hands of the enemy. How smart.
If Armenia has the financial means then it should go ahead and purchase the Russian-Armenian linkaege.
OMG! This is a nightmare! I cant even fathom the consequences! We need some kind of action here! Either a fund raiser or a rich Armenian to step up and outbid the Azeris to purchase this….
Sevag: that is not gonna be an easy task though. No individual can outbid SOCAR. You should research its revenues and profits for past decade.