Azerbaijan negotiates with Georgia over Russian-Armenian pipeline

President of Azeri state oil company SOCAR, Rivnag Abdulaev stated recently that Azerbaijan is negotiating with Georgia over the purchase of the Georgian segment of the pipeline connecting Russia with Armenia. The SOCAR chief stated that the Azeri side is planning to use this segment for exporting its natural gas in the direction of the Black Sea. SOCAR is prepared for the privatization and purchase of the pipeline so it comes under its management. Abdulaev stated that SOCAR manages around 70% of Georgia’s natural gas supply. As reported previously Georgia decided last July to privatize the pipeline and since then both Azerbaijan and Armenia have been very interested in the issue.

Georgian officials say they are not participating in the negotiations.