Tsipras Proposes Transport of Russian Gas through TAR Gas Pipeline

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced that Russian natural gas can be pumped through the TRANS-Adriatic pipeline (TAP), which is designed to transport Azerbaijani "blue fuel" to Europe, as the technical conditions do allow for it.

“We have advanced in the construction of the TAP pipeline, which will transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe. In my opinion, we have the necessary technical conditions for this gas pipeline to also accept Russian natural gas, as I am sure that it will benefit the European economy,” the Greek PM said.

According to Putin, Russia is ready to consider the possibility of connecting companies from Greece to projects for the delivery of Russian gas to European countries on the southern route.

“We are ready to consider the possibility of connecting Greek companies to major infrastructure projects for the delivery of Russian gas to Europe via the southern route,” the Russian leader said, noting they would also not exclude the possibility of connecting southern Europe to the Turkish stream gas pipeline through Greece.

Putin said that Russia is ready to implement major infrastructure energy projects with Greece, claiming that energy is the most important area of interaction between the States.

He also highlighted that Russia is already supplying energy resources to Greece, with gas needs covered by more than half, and oil by 10%.

Greece, despite the obvious but so far unspoken Russian desire to extend the second branch of the Turkish stream gas pipeline through Bulgaria, continues to conduct a dialogue with the EU on the issue of extending this gas pipeline through Greek territory to other European countries.

Construction of the TRANS-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) started in Albania in autumn 2016. The Albanian part of the pipeline is 215 km by land and 37 km by sea towards the Italian Adriatic coast.

By Dimitri Dolaberidze