The pipeline delivers natural gas to Hungary from Russia via Turkey, Bulgaria and Serbia, he said.
The pipeline will ensure that Hungary receives the full amount of gas to be supplied under the long-term agreement it concluded with Russia last September.
Noting reduced Russian gas deliveries to western Europe due to «maintenance difficulties on Nord Stream 1», Szijjártó said Hungary was currently receiving about half the usual amount of gas via Austria.
Szijjártó stated:
- The missing 1.3 million m3 of gas daily can be easily procured from the market
- Hungarian supply security is not at any sort of risk
Crude deliveries are also stable and secure through the Friendship pipeline.
Meanwhile, the Hungarian government is working «full steam» to prepare the upgrade of the Paks nuclear power plant.
Szijjártó said he is scheduled to meet Russian energy giant Rosatom’s CEO in Istanbul on July 1, to review the situation.
He said:
- The aim is to have the new blocks up and running by 2030
- While Europe is facing serious energy security challenges, energy supply to Hungary is stable and safe