Georgian President hails decision to cooperate with Russian energy companies

The Georgian leadership made the right choice, when it decided to extend cooperation with the UESR (Unified Energy System of Russia) Joint Stock Company and Gazprom, Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze announced in a live interview with the national radio station on Monday. On the contrary, the American AES company "retreated without settling its accounts", the head of state added.

At present the Ministry of Energy is holding consultations on importing 250-300 megawatt from Russia, Shevardnadze said.

The Georgian President added that the Georgian authorities are enhancing security along power lines.

Last week the Kavkasyoni and the Imereti power lines, linking the republic's regions, were damaged in the Tsalenjikh region of Georgia. The government considered the accident to be an act of sabotage.

According to Shevardnadze, "a special unit of the Ministry of State Security has arrived at the spot to ensure security of the facility". All acts of sabotage will be investigated into and those to blame punished, the president underlined.