Yerevan/Mediamax/. Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Energy Kakha Kaladze called for establishing a joint regional energy network involving Armenia, Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Vzglyad magazine reports that Kakha Kaladze stated this during the Energy Charter Forum in Tbilisi.

“Georgia is positioned as a pioneer of energy cooperation in the region. Our main goal is to strengthen regional cooperation through energy exchange simultaneously contributing to the activation of political dialogue, attraction of major investments and development of transport corridors”, said Kakha Kaladze.

He recalled that after the USSR collapse, the newly established South Caucasus states registered social and economic declines which affected the energy system as well. He called the establishment of a joint energy network of the five countries “a logical step”.

“Georgia has already completed the construction of 500kV electric transmission line; the 500kV electric line between Georgia and Russia has been restored and the operation of the 500kV electric line with Armenia is expected in near future”, stated Kakha Kaladze.

According to him, it is this and other projects that can contribute to Georgia’s role as a “bridge” of the joint energy network.

Mediamax's interview with Kakha Kaladze is available here.