Press Release: Commissioner Oettinger welcomes the signature of the intergovernmental agreement on TAP

EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger welcomed the 13 February 2013 signature of a tri-lateral intergovernmental agreement (IGA) as an essential step in the preparation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project (TAP).

TAP is an important gas pipeline between Italy, Albania and Greece with a starting capacity of minimum 10 billion cubic metres per annum (bcma). EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger said: "This pipeline is instrumental to connect the gas markets of Italy and Greece and to bring gas to Albania and potentially to other of our Energy Community neighbours. It could be among the first components of the Southern Gas Corridor which aims at linking directly the European Union with the rich gas sources in the Caspian Region."

Concluded 13 February 2013 in Athens between Albania, Greece and Italy, the IGA sets out the legal framework for the TAP pipeline. It includes a range of commitments by Greece, Italy and Albania and will ensure that the states cooperate in the development of the TAP pipeline.