Baku, Azerbaijan June 13
By Aygun Badalova - Trend:
The creation of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is strategic for the diversification of provision sources not just for the EU and the Balkans, but also for Italy, the ANSAmed news network of Italy said June 13 citing the country's Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
After the inauguration of the TAP project in Thessaloniki, about one month ago, a challenge has opened: seeing Azerbaijani gas reach Italy by 2020, said Gentiloni, opening the fourth session of the inter-government commission on economic cooperation between Italy and Azerbaijan in Rome.
The objective, said the foreign minister, is to boost economic and political relations between Italy and Azerbaijan, which is considered a strategic regional partner.
TAP project envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to the EU countries.
The 870-kilometer pipeline will be connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.
Italy has remained Azerbaijan's main trade partner over the recent years.
The trade turnover between the two countries stood at $567.54 million in January-April 2016, according to Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee. This is while $443.47 million of this volume accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products to Italy.