Pipeliners

RBC, 26.05.2005, Tbilisi 09:59:30.The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline has laid the foundation for Georgia's energy independence, the country's leader Mikhail Saakashvili told reporters after visiting the pipeline's opening ceremony in Azerbaijan. The head of state believes BTC, as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, which is being built, will ensure Georgia's energy security. The country will receive up to 800m cubic meters of gas within the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum project. However, this will not be enough to satisfy Georgia's need of gas. As the Georgian fuel and energy agency told RBC, the USA would assist the country in negotiations with Azerbaijan and the project's sponsors over an increase in gas supplies.