March 16, 2007
Deputy Secretary Sell Press Availability with Speaker Nino Burjanadze
Georgian Parliament
Speaker Burjanadze: [In Georgian] gives recap of meeting and introduces Deputy Secretary Clay Sell to media.
DS Sell: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a great pleasure for me to be here on behalf of the United States Government today, and the Speaker and I had a very interesting discussion. The United States has a great interest in our friend, Georgia. We have a great interest in strengthening the independence of Georgia. In my judgment, there is nothing more important to the independence of Georgia than Georgia’s energy security.
We have been very pleased and impressed with the tremendous amount of progress that has occurred in Georgia with the political reform, economic reform, increased foreign investment and the great economic growth. We look forward to continuing our work with Georgia and to Georgia’s role in leading the region, in transforming the energy corridor in this part of the world and in increasing market access from the Caspian Basin to Europe.
[inaudible]…We hope Georgia’s relationship with the United States will continue to grow and I would like to thank the Speaker for hosting me here today.
Question: [inaudible]
DS Sell: I believe Georgia’s share of that project will increase in the near future, and it is representative of a very strong partnership and indicative of Georgia’s strong regional leadership. The development of the Shah-Deniz Field will continue, and in future years, as more production comes online, that will operate to the great strength and benefit of Georgia’s energy security. It is one of the very positive stories that is happening in the region today.
Question: [inaudible]
DS Sell: I believe the first thing that Georgia can do to increase its energy security is to increase its regional leadership role in developing transit routes from the Caspian Basin to the European market. That will be an important aspect.
DS Sell: The second step is to increase domestic supplies of energy, and we are seeing that today with increased oil and gas production as well as increased hydroelectric production in Georgia. Therefore, within a matter of years, I believe that Georgia is actually a net exporter of electricity.
DS Sell: And the third thing: through economic reform, price reform and the incorporation of new technologies into the industrial sector, Georgia can greatly increase its energy efficiency.
DS Sell: I would only add that these are not policies the United States dictated to Georgia. They are Georgia’s policies, and our interests are only in helping and assisting in any way possible.
Speaker Burjanadze: [in Georgian] thanks press for their questions and ends press availability.
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