Georgian president rules out resuming Russian gas purchases

Tbilisi, May 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has ruled out the possibility of Tbilisi resuming natural gas purchases from Russia, for its probable impact on his country's independence.

However, Georgian energy minister Kakha Kaladze told media that the post-Soviet state should not depend only on Azerbaijan's gas supplies, saying that there was still need for additional suppliers such as Russia.

President Saakashvili described the minister's statement as "strange", and said that "considering Russia as a serious alternative for energy supplies means fundamentally reviewing Georgia's independence".

In December 2006, Saakashvili said Azerbaijan would become Georgia's main gas supplier.

In 2007, Georgia stopped Russian gas purchases and started buying gas from Azerbaijan.

Georgia accused Russia of political blackmail for raising gas prices, and suggested the price increases were punishment for Georgia moving politically away from Russia and closer to the West.

Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in August 2008 and are yet to re-established formal diplomatic ties.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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