On March 25, 2013 the
Albanian Parliament unanimously ratified the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)
between Albania, Italy and Greece on the construction and operation of the Trans
Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project. Signed in Athens on February 13, 2013, the
tri-lateral IGA confirmed the three host countries’ support for TAP and their
cooperation for the project’s timely implementation.
The ratification of the
IGA follows the finalization of the Host Government Agreement (HGA), initialled
in Tirana by TAP’s Managing Director, Kjetil Tungland, and Albania’s Minister of
Economy, Trade and Energy, Edmond Haxhinasto, on January 18, 2013. As the
project progresses, the HGA sets out the parameters of engagement between TAP
and the Albanian Government, such as permitting process, implementation of
technical and safety standards or land easement procedure.
Kjetil Tungland, TAP’s
Managing Director, said: “We are pleased
to receive this strong endorsement and are confident that our excellent
collaboration will continue.The ratification of the IGA represents a key
element in TAP’s Decision Support Package submission to Shah Deniz at the end of
this month ensuring a compelling offer.”
Michael Hoffmann,
External Affairs Director for TAP said: “The IGA ratification
by the Albanian Parliament demonstrates once again TAP’s increasingly advanced
status.It is important to underline that the Parliament gave its unanimous
approval for the IGA.This is extremely rare and once again illustrates the very
strong commitment of the Albanian authorities in making TAP a
reality.”
In the context of
cooperation with the Albanian Government, TAP has committed to assisting with
the creation of a national Gas Master Plan (GMP). This will see the development
of a gas transportation grid that may supply to businesses and, at a later
stage, Albanian families. The GMP will enable the Albanian Government to meet
its strategic goal of becoming an energy hub in the region. Finally, the TAP
project will contribute to the Albanian economy through a significant investment
of approximately €1bn, and will serve to create jobs in the country as the
project develops.