UPI: Mediterranean states back key gas pipeline

An agreement by Albania, Greece and Italy to coordinate support for a planned natural gas pipeline safeguards its success, an executive said.

A trilateral committee coordinates support for the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline. TAP is included in the so-called Southern Corridor, a planned network of pipelines meant to break the Russian grip on the European energy sector.

TAP is up against the more ambitious Nabucco West pipeline. A BP-led consortium operating in the Shah Deniz II gas field offshore Azerbaijan is expected by June to make a decision on which pipeline will carry gas to Europe.

TAP External Affairs Director Michael Hoffmann said the consortium, led by Swiss energy company and Norwegian major Statoil, said the support was a major vote of confidence. MORE