Albania firms support for TAP project

The pace at which the Albanian government has thrown its weight behind the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline is impressive, the project\'s managing director said. The Albanian Parliament ratified the host government agreement between the TAP project consortium and the central government. The agreement sets laws that will govern the project in the country, including land easements and environmental standards. The Albanian government has been checking measures this month to implement the project through its territory. TAP would stretch 129 miles overland and includes a 37-mile offshore section. \"We are impressed by the quick progress with the ratification of the HGA,\" TAP Managing Director Kjetil Tungland said in a statement. \"TAP greatly appreciates the outstanding support Albania has given to our pipeline project, now again confirmed by the Albanian Parliament.\" TAP is included as part of the Southern Corridor, a planned network of natural gas pipelines meant to break the Russian grip on the energy sector. It would rely on natural gas from Azerbaijan. The BP-led group controlling natural gas from the Shah Deniz II project offshore Azerbaijan is expected by June to pick between TAP and the larger Nabucco West pipeline for European delivery.