The European Commission has made a decision regarding the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB) gas pipeline, finding that the plans for its construction and operation were compatible with EU rules on state subsidies.

Greek Environment and Energy Minister George Stathakis welcomed the decision and said ”it opens the way to starting construction of the IGB. This vertical axis diversifies sources of supply and can channel natural gas from the TransAdriatic Pipeline (TAP) and quantities of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the terminals at Revythousa and Alexandroupolis. It is a project of strategic significance, which makes Greece an energy hub for the greater region of Southeastern Europe and a main energy portal for Europe, contributing to the unification prospects of the European energy market”.

Speaking earlier at an event organised by the Hellenic Cadastre, Stathakis also announced that Greece’s land cadastre should be fully completed by the first half of 2021.

“Completing the cadastre is one of the most important reforms carried out in Greece in recent years,” Stathakis said, noting that the governmental law had “done away with problems going back decades and replaced a status quo of grey zones with rules, regulations and a transparent regulatory framework.”

With information from A.M.N.A.