(ANSA) - Bari, April 6 - The Lazio Regional Administrative
Court (TAR) on Thursday suspended an environment ministry permit
for the removal of olive trees in the area of the work site for
the TAP pipeline in Melendugno, Puglia, the southern region has
announced.
The court suspended the permit pending a hearing on April 19
on an appeal by the Puglia regional government against the
permit.
There have been big protests in Melendugno over the removal
of the olive trees for the Puglia section of the TransAdriatic
Pipeline (TAP), which is set to bring Caspian gas from
Azerbaijan to Europe.
"I express the sum of the satisfaction on behalf of all the
activists who have defended their land over the last few days,"
said Alfredo Pasiello of the 'No Tap Salento' committee.
Industry Minister Carlo Calenda said Wednesday work on the
TAP should go ahead and not be "threatened by further delays".
The pipeline's arrival at Melendugno had been approved after
"the most careful assessment of the alternatives," Calenda said.
Under the plan, the olive trees will later be replanted in
the same place.
Court suspends TAP olive-tree removals (2)
Permit put on hold pending decision on appeal