"The move is against the interests of Hungary and Slovakia—which the Commission should represent."Continue reading
Negotiations to guarantee long-term oil supplies to Hungary are nearing the finish line, even though the European Commission has taken no action against Ukrainian measures that threaten Hungarian and Slovakian energy security, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó.
During a break in the government meeting on Wednesday, the politician said that conflicts in the world are getting worse and the processes are not pointing towards peace, and this is also the case in the Central European region, as the war in Ukraine is also showing signs of escalation. He stressed that these various conflicts could also have a very serious impact on energy security, and noted that the government had also reviewed the security of supply situation in Hungary.
Unfortunately, the European Commission continues to behave in an unacceptable manner on the issue of Ukraine’s virtual ban on the Russian oil company Lukoil’s deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia,”
he said. In this context, Mr. Szijjártó pointed out that this Ukrainian move has a significant impact on Hungary’s oil supply, and the Brussels body should take action. “Ukraine and the European Union have an association agreement under which Ukraine cannot block the transit of energy products to EU member states,” he said.
“Now, despite the fact that Ukraine has violated this association agreement and despite the fact that Ukraine has caused serious challenges for Hungary and Slovakia with this move, it is clear that we cannot count on the support of the European Commission,” he added.
Therefore, negotiations are in full swing to ensure a balanced oil supply for Hungary in the long term, despite the Ukrainian measure and despite the fact that the European Commission is not helping us.”
“These negotiations are already approaching the finishing line, thus we can say that, in addition to the transitional measures in the short and medium term, we can guarantee Hungary’s oil supply in the long term, despite the measures and the negligence of Kyiv and Brussels,” the minister concluded.
Via MTI, Featured image: Facebook/Szijjártó Péter