Statement by U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Carlos Pascual following the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline Project between the Governments of Albania,Greece and Italy (Sep27,2012

The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed today by Albania, Greece, and Italy is an important step forward in development of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project. TAP is one of two projects, [the other being Nabucco West], that are competing to ship gas to Europe through the so-called Southern Corridor. The Southern Corridor will deliver gas, initially from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field, through Georgia and Turkey to Europe.

The Southern Corridor will bring a new source of gas supply to Europe, a goal the United States strongly supports. Many European countries are largely or solely dependent on a single energy supplier, and we recognize the importance they place on having access to diverse energy sources and transport routes.

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