On February 12, Ministers of Energy from Azerbaijan, Albania, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Bulgaria attended a meeting in Baku capital in Azerbaijan, in the framework of Southern Gas Corridor project.
Albanian Minister of Energy, Damian Gjiknuri declared that Albania has supported since the beginning this important project, by taking preliminary measures in order to ensure the optimal implementation of this project in country. For this, said Gjiknuri, the government has approved the usage of state owned lands for the construction of access roads.
The most important aspect during the implementation of the project, he added, is the participation of Albanian construction companies as subcontractors in this project, which would bring an important contribution in country’s economy.
“The Albanian government considers TAP project as a great opportunity for diversifying energy resources and to guarantee the supply with gas in country. In February 17, we will host in Tirana representatives of SOCAR, BP, SHELL companies, with whom we will discuss about the master plan that is expected to contribute in country’s gasification,” declared Minister of Energy Damian Gjiknuri.
Albania has signed an agreement with Azerbaijan and state owned oil company SOCAR for the financing of feasibility studies for the gasification of the country and gas master plan will be compiled by using European Union funds (WBIF). Regarding these two projects, the Minister said they will totally change the energy map of Albania, a fact that will have impact in country’s economic development.
In turn, Azerbaijani Minister of Energy, Natig Aliyev, declared that the so far cooperation with Albania for TAP project is excellent and will intensify with the implementation of the project, which starts within 2015.
During the meeting, the Ministers discussed about the support all participating countries should show for this project, as an important element which will contribute in its successful implementation. The Ministers also underlined that the safety and stability of gas transmission lines to international markets is the most important factor for the economic development of the participating countries.
An important topic discussed by the attendants was the engagement of financial institutions in finding the most efficient mechanisms which will create the conditions for the finalization of the project. The meeting of Ministers of Energy was praised by the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev which appealed for solidarity among places which are part of TAP project.
News source/photo credits: Ministry of Energy
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