After leaving the Georgian State Security Service building where he was summoned for questioning on February 17, former Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili stated that "the meeting concerned Georgia's participation in European gas supplies and the associated risks."
"You are probably aware that Georgia has been playing an active role in European gas supplies for several years. In particular, we are making a significant contribution to European energy security, and we are cooperating with the Republic of Azerbaijan in this area. I believe I have provided very detailed and comprehensive information. Accordingly, this took time. There were very logical questions. There were questions about the extent to which our active participation in the supply plan might or might not entail risks. Based on this, it was entirely logical for me to discuss all these issues exhaustively. This is the main issue we discussed," he concluded.
Davitashvili added that the discussion also focused on the future stability of Georgia's gas supply. According to Davitashvili, the discussion focused on the stability of future gas supplies, existing contracts, and the need to extend or revise some agreements.
However, in response to his statement, the State Security Service emphasized that the former official was at the Anti-Corruption Agency not for "discussions," but for questioning in connection with a specific criminal case. The agency insists that the questioning focused on the risks associated with Georgia's gas supply and the possible deterioration of the terms of the existing agreement, which is being investigated, not on supplies to the European Union.
"Davitashvili was at the Anti-Corruption Agency for questioning in connection with a specific criminal case, not at a meeting to discuss issues. The questioning focused on the risks associated with Georgia's gas supply and the deterioration of conditions for Georgia based on the existing agreement, which is the reason for the investigation, not on gas supplies to the European Union. "Not a single question was asked in this regard in the context of risks. If such an interpretation, false information, or speculation is voiced in this regard, we are ready to publish the interview protocol (with the consent of the interviewee)," the Georgian State Security Service stated.
Thus, the parties differ in their interpretations of both the format of the meeting—"discussion" or interrogation—and its content: Davitashvili speaks of the country's European direction and strategic role, while the State Security Service points to the investigation of a specific agreement and the risks for Georgia itself.
