The decision to relocate the 5.5-kilometer section of the natural gas pipeline from Georgia to Armenia was made due to the technical unsatisfactory condition of the existing pipeline. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia stated this in response to a written request from Sputnik Armenia.

Earlier, the Georgian side had announced that at the request of Armenia, a 5.5-kilometer section of the natural gas pipeline connecting Georgia and Armenia would be relocated. After that, the Armenian prime minister’s chief of staff, Arayik Harutyunyan, had stated that the decision to relocate may be related to the border delimitation process between Armenia and Georgia.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia assured that the main natural gas pipeline is of strategic and vital importance for Armenia, as it provides more than 80 percent of the main amount of natural gas imported from Russia.

"The purpose of the relocation is to ensure reliable and uninterrupted [natural] gas supply to Armenia. The [natural] gas pipeline being newly constructed will contribute to increasing the reliability of Armenia's [natural] gas supply by reducing the risks of accidents and supply disruptions," the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia explained.

Also, the ministry assured that there is no risk of natural gas supply interruptions in Armenia during the construction of the new natural gas pipeline on the Georgian side.

The process has already begun, and the completion of the work is scheduled for the end of 2027. The project is funded and implemented by of the Georgian side.

The matter was discussed and agreed upon within the framework of the activities of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia.