ZUG, Switzerland, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The Trans-Adriatic pipeline is the most realistic way to move Azeri gas to market, a pipeline consortium said following a major European energy breakthrough.
Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, signed a joint declaration on gas delivery for Europe during a Thursday meeting with Azeri President Illham Aliyev in Baku.
Barroso in a statement described the agreement as a "major breakthrough" for European energy security and projects in the Southern Corridor.
Kjetil Tungland, managing director for TAP, said in a statement the agreement restates Europe's commitment to the Southern Corridor and the equal treatment for all projects in the energy plan.
"Moreover, TAP remains confident that if (all) projects are assessed on their individual technical and commercial merits, TAP presents the most realistic and economically viable option to transport Shah Deniz II gas to European markets," he said.
Swiss energy company EGL, Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil and Germany's E.ON Ruhrgas lead the project consortium for TAP.
Europe aims to break the Russian grip on the energy sector by securing gas from major Middle Eastern and Central Asian gas suppliers.
TAP would stretch about 323 miles through Greece and Albania to southern Italy.
