Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 26
By Azad Hasanli - Trend:
Construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) will start March 2016, said Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Natig Aliyev.
He made the remarks at a meeting with the US ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta Feb. 26.
Touching upon the difficulties around the TAP project, the minister praised the US stance on the issue.
Aliyev also noted that the second meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council will ensure the necessary support for a timely implementation of the project and delivery of Azerbaijani gas to Europe.
He went on to say the work on the Southern Gas Corridor project is going on according to schedule, and Azerbaijan meets its commitments under the project.
Aliyev also said that over 20 percent of construction work has been implemented as part of the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project.
In turn, US Ambassador Robert Cekuta recommended submitting proposals for discussions at the Advisory Council meeting, which will help speed up the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor.
The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU.
At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects.
Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.
As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline.