TBILISI, Georgia, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., Tuesday backed Georgia's energy independence from Russia.
Lugar told reporters after a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli that the South Caucasus country should find an alternative to natural gas supplies from Russia. He suggested an increase in supplies from Azerbaijan, while still partly depending on Russian natural gas reserves, RIA Novosti reported.
Georgia has previously accused Russia of using its vast energy resources to hold the country to ransom -- a charge Moscow rejects.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said Moscow was "not a reliable partner" after Russia's Gazprom temporarily cut off supplies to Ukraine over a pricing spat in January.
Nogaideli said the U.S. Congress is developing new energy laws, which focus on U.S. energy assistance to his country.
