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The price for Gazprom’s natural gas supplies to Georgia would not be raised, David Morchiladze, General Director of Tbilisi’s gas distribution company Tbilgas, said after talks with Gazprom’s management in Moscow. The schedule of Russia’s natural gas supplies to Georgia in 2005 was discussed at the meeting, as well as delivery terms and form of payment.
"Gazprom agreed to our conditions, and we signed a contract on terms acceptable to Georgia," Georgia’s Fuel and Energy Minister told the Imedi television company. He noted that Gazprom did not request advance payment from Georgia, despite the country’s almost $8bn debt. Gazprom also agreed to the debt restructuring scheme offered by Georgia.
Earlier, the Georgian Ministry of Fuel and Energy said Gazprom had decided to raise the price for its natural gas supplies to the South Caucasus from $60 to $78 per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas. However, the Ministry expressed hope that “the parties will come to a compromise”.
Gazprom has supplied natural gas to Georgia through its subsidiary Gazexport since October 1, 2003. From 1996 until Oct. 1, 2003, the Itera group was the sole supplier of natural gas to Georgia. In 1993-1994, Georgia received gas from Turkmenistan.
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RUSSIA IN FACTS
