Azerbaijan: Albanian PM to Discuss TAP

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha is set to discuss bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy matters, between Albania and Azerbaijan when  he visits the country tomorrow.

Mr. Berisha is set to visit Azerbaijan from 9-10 February, the Albanian embassy in Azerbaijan has confirmed, with the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) expected to top the list of discussions.

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline is one of the pipelines competing to export gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz II field from 2017, with Albania being one of the transit countries on the pipeline's route.

It is expected that the Albanian Prime Minister will endores the pipeline as the best option for the Azeri gas transit.

Work on TAP continues to gain momentum. In December of last year, TAP began the process of locating Albanian landowners prior to planning the exact route of the pipeline through the country.

Yesterday, Azeri ambassador to Albania Rahman Mustafayev confirmed that energy would be feature on the list of topics to be discussed on Prime Minister Berisha's arrival.

"Taking into account the role Azerbaijan plays in providing of energy security of Europe and transit opportunities of Albania our cooperation in energy sector comes out to the forefront of bilateral relations...," he said.

"We are working with our Albanian colleagues on drafts agreements on cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, energy, education and science, culture and tourism."