Damian Gjiknuri

Beatrice Maser, director at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs told BIRN that Switzerland was offering Albania a grant to help it "reap the full benefits of the TAP", the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

Turkish Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z will be in Baku today to attend the "Turkey-Azerbaijan Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Meeting."

According to data from the ministry, the meeting will begin on Feb. 12 with opening remarks by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and European Commission Vice-President Maro? ?ef?ovi?.

Inspectors from Albania's electricity distribution company, OSHEE, aided by police, have launched a massive operation to ascertain illegal connections to the grid.

The government says that those found stealing electricity will be prosecuted, following changes to the criminal code, which raised the penalties for electricity theft.