2016-06-09
Experts, scientists and policy makers are discussing rapidly changing global energy environment, pressure of globalization and the trends on the International Conference on Energy Security that is currently taking place in Tbilisi. Prime Minister of Georgia attended respective Conference - International Energy Forum: Energy Security - Old and New Geopolitical Paradigm.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili participated in the discussion moderated by the senior fellow in the energy and national security program at the Center for International and Strategic Studies Edward C. Chow. The Prime Minister elaborated on the steps taken in terms of the country's energy security, the ongoing and planned energy projects, Georgia's transit role, the country's strategic geographical location, the investment opportunities, and importance of the Silk Belt project.
"Recently we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first transit project - "Baku-Supsa" pipeline. Pipeline turned out to be the first project that put Georgia on the energy map. After implementation of several important projects since then, including the "Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline," "South Caucasus gas pipeline," "Shah Deniz" project, which guarantees supply of the additional gas to the pipeline. The overall volume of investments conducted in the energy sector amounts to the 45 billion dollars, of which 2 billion is invested directly in Georgia, "- said the Prime Minister.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili stressed the need to intensify cooperation with Azerbaijan. According to him, in terms of energy supply, Azerbaijan is the number one strategic partner of Georgia. The Prime Minister also spoke about the importance of the US support in terms of energy security. "The United States is an important strategic partner. This is a partnership that has been in place for 25 years, since Georgia regained independence. Therefore, implementation of strategic projects, such as the "Baku-Supsa", "Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline," "Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline" became possible largely due to the US support. The US is a power of great regional importance, our region has frozen projects, we face terrorism related threats and, therefore, it is impossible to mitigate and fight these dangers without the support of the United States, "- Prime Minister stressed.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili also noted that Georgia has demonstrated that it is a stable partner for the West, and it represents a decent base for the expansion of cooperation between the countries of the East with the West. The role of Georgia and neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey in the global energy processes is the main theme of the Conference. The conversation also touched upon the ability of European Union and Western countries - to foster the transit role and function of Georgia and strengthen its comparative advantage.
The event organized by the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) and the US Embassy was attended by the Director of the McCain Institute for Democracy and Human Rights David Kramer, EU Ambassador to Georgia Janos Herman, Ambassador of Turkey in Georgia Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, Vice Prime Minister, and Minister of Energy Kakha Kaladze. The conference was also attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps and civil society, politicians, scientists and experts from different countries.
Prime Minister's Press Office