July 28, 2004 - 23:39 AMT
GEORGIA CONSIDERS TWO VARIANTS OF IRANIAN GAS SUPPLY: VIA ARMENIA OR VIA AZERBAIJAN
At present two variants of supplying Georgia with Iranian gas are being considered: via Armenia or via Azerbaijan, as reported by Iran.ru, an official of Georgian Energy Ministry stated. According to the source, for the delivery through Azerbaijan $2 million should be spent on the repair of the already existing gas pipeline. Meanwhile, transit of gas through the Iran-Armenia pipeline will be cheaper. In the words of the Georgian official, to all appearances, the delivery of the Iranian gas will start at the beginning of 2005. At the same time he noted that the delivery is supposed for emergency cases only, that is in case Russia suspends or reduces gas supply.