The Hungarian and Croatian governments are ready for long-term energy security cooperation, and Croatia is therefore ready to expand the capacity of the Adriatic crude oil pipeline to ensure Hungary's supply even in the event of an emergency, Péter Szijjártó announced on Tuesday in Zagreb.
According to the ministry's statement, after his meeting with the Croatian Minister of Energy Davor Filipovic, the head of the ministry stated: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán succeeded in getting exemption from the European Union's crude oil embargo against Russia, so that Hungary's supply will continue to be ensured, but for complete security it is necessary so that our country cannot only buy crude oil from one direction.
He pointed out that currently the Friendship oil pipeline passing through Ukraine ensures Hungary's supply, but it is also necessary to prepare for the fact that transit on this route may become impossible under certain circumstances. "Let's not forget, this pipeline passes through the territory of a country that is currently at war, and we have heard various threats from the Ukrainians that transit shipments will be stopped," he said.
Péter Szijjártó emphasized that there is an alternative transport route available from the south, from Croatia, the Adriatic crude oil pipeline, which, however, needs to be expanded to guarantee the security of supply to Hungary and Slovakia. In this regard, he welcomed the fact that Croatia is ready for this in the framework of a long-term energy security cooperation, so that, if necessary, a sufficient amount is available to supply Hungary.
"I can tell you good news, as we have agreed with Croatia's energy minister that Croatia, like Hungary, is ready for long-term energy security cooperation," the minister announced. He added that the Croatians are ready to provide a route for crude oil shipments to Hungary, if such shipments are needed. The Croatians are also ready to expand the capacity of the Adria pipeline to Hungary, as well as to provide a sufficient amount of transport capacities in the direction of Hungary in the long term.
He said that on Tuesday afternoon, the companies involved in the parties will discuss the specific technical details, as they must clarify the specific time and amount of the capacity reservation, as well as the relevant tariffs.
"So the most important thing is that both the Croatian and Hungarian governments are ready and committed to ensure that, in the framework of a long-term energy security cooperation, we have the capacity to supply the necessary amount of crude oil to Hungary via Croatia, if necessary, in an emergency," concluded Péter Szijjártó .
The minister emphasized: "Hungary's energy supply is safe today, our crude oil supply is also safe, but we must be prepared for the possibility of an emergency".
We managed to protect the results of the overhead reduction, the security of the energy supply and the current fuel prices, he said.
MTI
Photo: Péter Szijjártó's Facebook page
