MOSCOW. - Despite the lack of diplomatic and political contacts at the highest level, Russia can strengthen its economic presence in Georgia. The Georgian parliament may lift ban on sale of strategic assets to foreigners this fall.

This includes the gas pipeline connecting Russia and Armenia, the railroad and the state energy system. Moscow showed interest in all these sites prior to the 2008 war, Russian Moskovskiye Novosti writes.

Last Friday, MPs from Georgia’s ruling United National Movement party has initiated proceedings in the finance and budget committee to amend the law on state property. Under the current legislation, the state owns 100% shares of strategic enterprises.

MPs offered to make an exception for the pipeline, railway and energy system. The opposition does not doubt that the main claimant for these facilities will be Russia.

“At the moment everything is vague, but transit through Georgia is very important and necessary for Gazprom, as supplies of gas to Armenia are made,” representative of Gazprom Sergey Kupriyanov told the newspaper.