Environmental Minister Reports MPs on Ecology Safety of the BTC

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, December 2, 2002) – After the approval of construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline through Georgia, Minister of Environment Nino Chkhobadze was called in the Parliament by the opposition factions today.

The United Democrats, Traditionalists, National Movement and New Abkhazia factions also called in the Parliament President of the Georgian International Oil Corporation Gia Chanturia.

After the burdensome negotiations with the investors Environmental Minister agreed to give a go-ahead to the construction of the BTC, which is to run through Borjomi valley, famous with its mineral waters. Environmental groups fear the oil pipeline might damage the valley’s unique ecology.

President Shevardnadze said today that the investors provided Georgia with the unprecedented measures of ecological security.

Gia Chanturia and Nino Chkhobadze also claim that the construction of the pipeline does not pose threat to Borjomi valley.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)