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ROME, April 29 (Reuters) - The Italian government hasapproved the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), intended to bringgas from Azerbaijan to Europe, after the project was held up byadministrative delays, the governor of the southern region ofPuglia said on Wednesday.
Puglia regional governor Nichi Vendola told reporters thatthe government had overruled objections from his regionalgovernment, which had opposed allowing a landing point near thetown of Melendugno for environmental reasons.
"Cabinet has approved the TAP project with a landing pointat Melendugno," Vendola said after a cabinet meeting which heattended to express his opposition to the project.
The 40 billion euro ($44.62 billion) pipeline is expected tobecome operational in 2020.($1 = 0.8965 euros) (Reporting by Roberto Landucci)
