Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 18 / Trend N. Kirtzkhalia /
The Georgian government is ready to discuss the issue of withdrawing a temporary manager of the "KazTransGas-Tbilisi" gas distribution company and returning Kazakh management to manage the company, Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said after a meeting with a Kazakh governmental delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Erbol Orynbayev.
The Kazakh side wants to regain managing the gas distribution company in Tbilisi. The Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission appointed a temporary manager at "KazTransGas-Tbilisi" in March 2009 because of the company's debts worth $ 80 million lari ($ 1 = 1.66 lari). Around 68 million lari fell to the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation for the blue fuel supplies. According to the commission's decision, the manager had to work to improve the financial situation of the company. Its assets remain in its ownership during this period.
"The main theme of the meeting was "KazTransGas" which is very problematic for Kazakhstan," Kaladze said. "We promised that we will discuss this topic. I think all issues can be resolved through a dialogue."
"In general, I welcome Kazakh people's return to Georgia," he said. "There were some strange situations earlier. As I recall, they were going to make significant investments. But after this began in 2005, there were some problems. We are ready to start again the negotiations, including on "Tbilisi gas" for all issues to be thoroughly resolved."
Orynbaev stressed that Kazakhstan will do its best to resolve the issue with "KazTransGas-Tbilisi". He stressed that this issue is very important for both sides.