Tbilisi, Georgia, Jan. 17
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
Georgia's Energy Ministry denied Jan. 16 the beginning of any talks with the Abkhaz side regarding the ownership of the Inguri Hydropower Plant.
The ministry was responding to a statement made by the director general of the Abkhaz power company, Chernomorenergo.
The ministry said the Inguri Hydropower Plant is located on the territory of Georgia, and is a property of the Georgian state, and the statement made by the Chernomorenergo's director general is far from reality.
"We once again remind that Abkhazia is an occupied region of Georgia, and we are responsible for this region of the country," the ministry said.
The ministry also said that despite the conflict and existing political complexities, the Inguri Hydropower Plant still supplies electricity to Abkhazia, as well as to any other part of Georgia.
"We underscore that the Georgian state operates and will further operate the Inguri Hydropower Plant. We monitor preventive and rehabilitative works on the hydropower plant. All the operating costs at the Inguri Hydropower Plant are covered by the Georgian government," the Ministry of Energy added.