Opening Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is considered a very significant event in Georgia. Such significance is not only of economic, but also political and social nature,Trends special correspondent reports from Astana quoting Zurab Shurgaiya, Georgian Ambassador to Kazakhstan.
He said economic significance implies Georgia to be the transit country and have serious revenues from oil transportation through its territory.
В"Georgia greets Kazakhstans joining BTC. The more oil transported via the pipeline, the better for the republic, the greater revenue it will haveВ", Ambassador said.
Specialists say Georgia expects to receive some $2.5bn for 40 years of BTC oil transit.
"BTC will undoubtedly play a positive role in settling conflicts in regions the pipeline is passing. The project swallowed huge money. The countries invested money in this pipeline require its safety. Therefore, they will contribute to stability in region. Besides, Georgia itself is rapidly developing today and takes serious steps to settle the conflicts in an amicable manner", Shurgaiya said.
A to social significance, Shurgaiy said, the pipeline maintenance will create new workplaces for local dwellers.
"As to the South Caucasus Pipeline project, it is also significant to Georgia as we will receive gas alongside the transit fee. And it is important that Kazakhstan, which purchased Tbilgaz through its KazTransGaz, joins his project and will be interested in supplying Georgia with its gas ", Georgia diplomat said.
This project, he added, will ensure Georgias power security by giving it an alternative gas source and alongside providing Kazakhstan an additional route for gas supply to Europe.
BTC opening is very significant for Georgia Georgian Ambassador to Kazakhstan
