Greek PM: New pipeline will boost Georgia-Greece energy ties
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Today Georgia’s Prime Minister sat down with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras, who said the new Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) would enhance bilateral cooperation between Greece and Georgia, particularly in the energy sector.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Tsipras met in Thessaloniki, Greece this afternoon. The two officials discussed bilateral issues prior to a special ceremony marking the beginning of the TAP construction, which would transport Caspian natural gas to Europe.
Kvirikashvili, who was one of several European and American high-ranking officials expected to attend today’s ceremony, said the pipeline was of "huge importance” as it encouraged closer partnerships between Georgia and Greece in energy and economy directions.
Met @atsipras.Discussed #TAP project w/ will ensure ameliorated #energy security&deepening of #economic cooperation pic.twitter.com/Bh6H7Nj7Zj
— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) May 17, 2016
Once built the TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route that will open up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500km long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
Both officials admitted Georgia and Greece could do more to enhance ties in trade, tourism and education, which would lead to increased trade turnover and greater economic cooperation.
Tsipras said he hoped Georgia’s Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU) would help the country utilise all its trade and economic opportunities offered by the deal.
Tsipras recognised the "huge effort” Georgia has made to align itself closer to Europe and move towards EU integration. He stressed Georgia was a "reliable partner” of Europe.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has travelled to Greece for a working visit. Today he will be one of European and American high officials that attend a special ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) in Thessaloniki.
Work has begun today on a new gas pipeline that will travel through Georgia to better connect Europe with gas from the Caspian Sea, thus reducing dependence on Russian gas.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has spoken at a special ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which will bring gas from western Turkey to Greece, Albania and across the Adriatic to Italy.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Nikos Kotzias discussed the possibility of introducing ferry traffic between Georgian and Greek ports. They said that Georgia-Greece relations are advancing to a level of strategic partnership.
Italy is resuming the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), one of the core projects of the Southern Gas Corridor through which the countries of the European Union (EU) will receive Azerbaijani gas via Georgia and other countries.