Georgia will not import gas from Iran after having signed agreements for increased gas supplies with Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR at the beginning of March, Iranian Oil & Gas reported.

Georgian Deputy PM, Kakha Kaladze, who is also the country’s Energy Minister, explained the reason behind this decision saying that “We had a meeting; we talked about the possibility to get Iranian gas. This is theoretically possible but there is no such necessity now. We have drawn out an agreement with a country and company, which is a strategic partner, and which will ensure the natural gas supply to Georgia and thus satisfy the market,” News.am reported.

Azerbaijan’s SOCAR will increase its natural gas supplies to Georgia by 463mcm and reduce prices for the gas sold at social tariffs, as well as the commercially sold gas.

Georgia’s Energy Minister made his remarks regarding the agreement at a joint press conference with SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev.