Georgia's Minister of Economic Development today repeated earlier assurances that Tbilisi does not plan to sell off the trunk pipeline that feeds natural gas from Russia to Armenia via Georgian territory. The state may offload only a minority share -- 15 percent tops -- but would retain the controlling stake in the North-South pipeline, Economic Development Minister Vera Kobalia said.
The removal of the pipeline from Georgia's list of strategic property last week sparked concerns both in Georgia and Armenia about the line's future. Critics at home fear that Russia’s Gazprom, which controls Armenia’s domestic gas infrastructure, may purchase the pipeline -- a sale that would give the Kremlin a tool to pressure Tbilisi and expand its regional clout, they fear. Some commentators in Armenia, which receives most of its gas supply via the Georgian pipeline, have raised concerns about Azerbaijan taking a piece of the action.
Georgian government officials have promised not to sell the pipeline to Russia, but the opposition has requested the government to seal that promise in writing. Kobalia did not name potential buyers.
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