KIPI CROSSING, GREECE - U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today celebrated the opening of the Turkey-Greece Inter-Connector (TGI) pipeline, ushering the first link between the gas suppliers of Central Asia and the consumers of Europe.  This pipeline will expand the region’s oil and gas infrastructure and increase the diversity of energy sources and suppliers.

During the TGI’s groundbreaking ceremony, Secretary Bodman congratulated Turkish and Greek leaders for their commitment to opening up the European markets to new energy partners in Central Asia, and highlighted the importance of promoting energy security as a central part of national and economic security considerations.

“This project is the first tangible link between the gas and oil suppliers of Central Asia and European consumers,” Secretary Bodman said.  “The TGI pipeline represents a major turning point in expanding a market that will provide the benefits of diversification to both consumers and suppliers, and the benefits of competition on both ends of the supply chain.”

In addition to participating in the TGI ceremony while on the Greek-Turkish border, Secretary Bodman met with Ilham Allyez, President of Azerbaijan and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey to discuss energy issues of mutual interest.

Greece was the fourth stop in Secretary Bodman’s five-nation visit to Europe and Central Asia.   The Secretary first visited Rome, Italy, where he spoke to the 20th World Energy Congress Ministerial Forum, then traveled to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, where he addressed the Turkmenistan Industrial Oil and Gas Exhibit (TIOGE), and then met with the President and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan.  Following Turkmenistan, Secretary Bodman traveled to Turkey to highlight the importance of expanding and securing oil and gas infrastructure.  The Secretary will conclude his trip in London, where he is expected to hold bilateral meetings with senior government officials and deliver remarks to the U.S. and British business leaders.

Media contact(s):
Andy Beck, (202) 586-4940