The pipeline project was announced in 2003, but never made progress for political reasons: in Bolivia, disagreements over how to exploit the country’s gas resources led to uprisings that toppled presidents in 2003 and 2005. Last year, the Bolivian government said in March that it expected construction of the pipeline to start later in 2007, but up to now there has been no progress.
“The pipeline is expected to start operating in January, 2010,” Argentine Planning Minister Julio de Vido said after the leaders met in government house in Buenos Aires.
The 1465-kilometre pipeline would allow Bolivia to boost its exports of gas to its energy-hungry neighbour, although some analysts question whether it will be able to increase output of the fuel in time to meet the new demand.
