The European Commission welcomed the signature of a tri-lateral intergovernmental agreement (IGA) as an essential step in the preparation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project (TAP). TAP is an important gas pipeline between Italy, Albania and Greece with a starting capacity of minimum 10 billion cubic metres per annum (bcma).

A tri-lateral intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Italy, Albania and Greece was agreed as first step in the preparation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project (TAP), which is an important gas pipeline. The European Commission welcomed the signature of the intergovernmental agreement on TAP because, according to EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger, this pipeline is instrumental to connect the gas markets of Italy and Greece and to bring gas to Albania and potentially to other EU Energy Community neighbours. In 2010, the European Commission granted EU funds to 43 pipeline and electricity projects.

The IGA sets out the legal framework for the TAP pipeline. It includes a range of commitments by Greece, Italy and Albania and will ensure that the states cooperate in the development of the TAP pipeline. The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline starts in Komotini/Greece and goes via Albania to Italy, connecting existing infrastructures in Italy and Greece. In the beginning of 2012, TAP has been selected by the Shah Deniz Consortium in Azerbaijan as preferred gas transportation for the Southern route.

The objective is to have a reliable, unbroken system of pipelines that will be built from the Caspian Sea to Europe. The Shah Deniz Gas field is the largest natural gas field in Azerbaijan. The production from Shah Deniz II (second phase of exploration, starting in a few years), will produce 16 bcma.