Deputy Foreign Minister: “Italy interested in construction of TAP”

Baku. 25 June. REPORT.AZ/ Italy is interested in construction of Trans Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP). Report informs citing the RIA Novosti, Italian Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Guglielmo Picchi said.

"TAP is part of an important infrastructure for Italy and Europe. We want to put it into operation, naturally, taking into account the possible consequences for the environment”, - Under-Secretary of State said.

Notably, TAP, which is a part of Southern Gas Corridor project, will initially transport annual 10 bln cubic meters of the gas produced within 'Shah Deniz 2' project, to Europe. This pipeline will join TANAP (Trans Anatolian) pipeline in Kipoi territory on Turkey-Greece border and cross Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before going onshore in southern Italy.

After reviewing various selection options during two years, on June 28, 2013, 'Shah Deniz' Consortium has officially declared selection of the TAP project. The pipeline is 878 kilometers long, 550 km of which will cover Greece, 215 Albania, 105 Adriatic Sea and 8 km Southern Italy. Highest point of the pipeline will be in the mountains of Albania (1 800 meters), the lower part (-820 meters) beneath the sea.

TAP's groundbreaking ceremony was held in Thessaloniki, Greece on May 17, 2016. Azerbaijani gas will be delivered to Europe in 2020.