Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov 5 /Trend N.Kirtzkhalia/
The Georgian Energy Ministry does not consider SOCAR to be a monopoly on the Georgian gas market, Kommersant radio reported, quoting Deputy Energy Minister Mariam Valishvili.
As the radio station reports, the question of whether SOCAR Energy Georgia is monopolist in the gas market of Georgia, became urgent after SOCAR purchased Itera Georgia.
The Energy Ministrysaid Itera Georgia's acquisition by SOCAR changes nothing in the market.
Deputy Minister Mariyam Valishvili noted that SOCAR supplies gas to the company also before the transaction and in general all Georgia are supplied with gas by the Azerbaijani company.
Accordingly, she said, the talks about the new monopolies are inappropriate.
As Valishvili noted, tariff policy in the country is controlled by a special commission and the company will not be able to avoid liability in the case of a monopoly.
Today SOCAR owns 30 gas distribution networks in Georgia, as well as a network of gas stations numbering about 100 units. The company also supplies gas and petroleum products to Georgia. In addition SOCAR has an oil terminal in Georgia - Kulevi and is building a urea plant.