Ambassador Mustafayev said “part of the huge energy investment that is the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP's implementation is of critical importance on a political, geo-political and business level". Mustafayev subsequently introduced TAP's Management, represented by Managing Director, Ian Bradshaw; Project Director, John Haynes; and TAP's Country Manager for Greece, Rikard Scoufias.
Bradshaw provided general information on TAP, the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, its purpose, and what its implementation entails, since it "ensures strategic targets of the European Union, namely energy security and diversification." He also elaborated on TAP's progress in its three host countries, as well as the project's key achievements, thanking all involved stakeholders, contractors, partners and employees for their contribution.
Haynes presented in detail the pipeline's construction process, highlighting security as the project's absolute priority, while Scoufias focused on how TAP is being implemented in Greece with respect to local communities, as demonstrated in the engagement and consultation process followed; the extensive communication campaigns launched; the social and environmental investments programme drafted and implemented; and the benefits TAP brings to Greece – both present and future ones.
The event was concluded with a discussion on TAP among speakers and guests.
TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The approximately 878 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
TAP's routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAP's landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.
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