TBILISI. Aug 27 (Interfax-AVN) - The Georgian Foreign Ministry has voiced protest against the commissioning of the Dzuarikau-Tskhinvali gas pipeline.
"The operations of Russia and its companies in the territory of Georgia without the consent of the latter, specifically the construction of a gas pipeline and its further operation, are directly trampling on the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the state borders of Georgia and this has been recognized and confirmed by the international community and international organizations," a Wednesday statement of the Georgian Foreign Ministry says.
"These actions also directly contradict Article 3 of the Georgian constitution under which the regulation of foreign trade relations and the unified energy system of Georgia belong to the sole competence of the supreme governing bodies of Georgia," the statement says.
Georgia "resolutely protests against Russia's latest violation of generally recognized norms and principles of international law, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders and national legislation of Georgia," the statement says.
Earlier on Wednesday Gazprom (RTS: GAZP) commissioned the Dzuarikau-Tskhinvali gas pipeline in South Ossetia. Connecting roads, communication systems and safety systems were also developed in relation to the pipeline which is 162 kilometers long and has an annual throughput capacity of 252.5 million cubic meters.