Azerbaijan , Baku Sept. 22 / Trend A.Badalova /
ITGI project can be really the best way to open the Southern Gas Corridor, Harry Sachinis, CEO of Greece's Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) said at the third Annual Gas Infrastructure World Caspian Conference.
He said the ITGI system can spur the development of the Southern Corridor.
"We believe that it the best choice," Sachinis said.
It is important to open the Southern Corridor, as Europe's gas demand is growing, he believes.
Sachinis said the project meets the key selection criteria of the Shah-Deniz gas field consortium.
By 2017 the system will be ready for gas transportation at the volume of 2010, Sachinis said. But the total capacity of the system can reach 2 billion cubic meters.
According to Sachinis, ITGI project has a significant finance support from the European Union.
Moreover, DEPA has 300 million euro in cash, he said.
"So we feel very comfortable about the project financing," Sachinis said.
Sachinis stressed importance of signing a transit agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkey soon.
"The agreement will be very important for Turkey. It will make the country a reliable gas transit partner. It will also be important for all Europe. We hope that the agreement will be signed very soon," Sachinis said.