August 2011, Tbilisi, Georgia: Youth seen in their convertible near the train station in Tbilisi. The new oil money has brought in a divide between the rich and the poor. Since 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts especially the South Ossetian crisis which led to the Russia-Georgia war.
August 2011, Tbilisi, Georgia: A pilgrim seen in an orthodox monastery near Tbilisi, Georgia. Since 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts especially the South Ossetian crisis which led to the Russia-Georgia war.
August 2011, Tbilisi, Georgia: Women walk with their shopping bags in a market area in Tbilisi. The new oil money has brought in a divide between the rich and the poor. Since the flow of money has poured into Baku thanks to the Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline.
