[Umit]

A historical step for Turkey was made, on the route towards being the energy bridge for Europe: "The Turkey- Greece natural gas pipeline has officially been opened."

The inauguration of the pipeline, which will allow for Azerbaijani natural gas to reach Greece through Turkey, was held at the İpsala Customs Zone. The line will also connect to Italy from below the Adriatic sea. The US Minister of Energy attended the opening held later for the Italy destined line.

The Turkey - Greece - Italy natural gas pipeline, which will enable natural gas from the Caspian Sea to reach Europe, was inaugurated yesterday with a ceremony. This pipeline is also important as it is the first tangible step for transferring natural gas from the resource countries east of Turkey to Europe. The Turkey- Greece pipeline, which is the first step of the line to transfer Sahdeniz natural gas to Europe, was opened with a ceremony held at the Meriç Bridge. Prime Minister Erdoğan, the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev, the Minister of Energy Hilmi Güler and the US Minister of Energy Samuel Bodman attended the ceremony.