Albanian Parliament Ratifies IGA on TAP

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 assist-ing 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 be-coming an energy hub in the region. Finally, the TAP project will contribute to the Albanian economy through a significant investment of approximately Euros 1bn, and will serve to create jobs in the country as the project develops.

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LNG World News Staff, March 26, 2013; Image: TAP