Baku, Azerbaijan, March 5
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, Albania reshaped its geostrategic position in the region, Albanian President Ilir Meta said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“The TAP project is one of the most strategic projects that Albania has ever had, because of the fact that for the first time my country is included in the world map of gas corridors,” said Meta.
He pointed out that through this project, Albania has reshaped its geostrategic position in the region by becoming one of the main transit countries of Azerbaijani gas from Caspian to Europe.
“The role of Azerbaijan is key in diversifying Europe's gas resources and supply routes, as in the case of Albania, it will diversify our energy resources by creating the premise that in the medium term natural gas will be consumed as a pure alternative source and at low cost by the business and by Albanian families,” added the Albanian president.
Meta said energy security is a prerequisite for the country's economic development, and in this respect the contribution of the Azerbaijan through SOCAR's investment is irreplaceable, especially for its assistance in drafting the Gas Master Plan that will precede investments in the gas distribution network in the country.
“With the implementation of the TAP and IAP (Ionian Adriatic Pipeline) projects, all the conditions and opportunities for extending cooperation in the field of gasification of Albania and other countries of the Balkan region are created,” he said.
TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.
Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network.
The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016.
Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
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