We managed to find a solution to the problems posed by the new American sanctions against the Russian Gazprombank, so Hungary's energy supply remains on a stable footing.
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reported in Sofia after discussions with the Bulgarian President and the Minister of Energy and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs that the majority of natural gas imports to Hungary now come via Bulgaria.
He informed that this year more than seven billion cubic meters of natural gas has already arrived in our country via the Turkish Stream pipeline, without which the country's supply would not be guaranteed.
Now both the Bulgarian president and the minister of energy have confirmed that we can count on Bulgaria to continue to be our reliable and predictable transit partner, he informed.
Thus, the natural gas supply to Hungary can be unhindered through Bulgaria, which is a big deal because the decision of the outgoing American administration, according to which Gazprombank was placed on the sanctions list, put both Hungary and Bulgaria in a difficult situation, he noted.
In this regard, he explained that Hungary pays for natural gas through the Russian financial institution, and Bulgaria receives money for transit from there.
And if these financial operations cannot be fulfilled, then Hungary would not receive natural gas, either because it cannot pay for it, or because it cannot come through Bulgaria, he warned.
Finally, the minister announced that this problem had been dealt with, a legal and financial solution had been found which was accepted by all partners and which was not subject to sanctions.
The colleagues will carry out the necessary legal work, and thus the delivery of natural gas through Bulgaria will be absolutely certain in the next period, despite the American restriction, and this is reassuring and good news from the point of view of Hungary's energy supply, he said.
Péter Szijjártó then welcomed the fact that Bulgaria will become a member of the Schengen area from next year, which will enable the free and unimpeded movement of goods and people, eliminating the current unfair conditions and long waits.
He underlined that this is good news for our country, as Bulgaria is located on a transport route that is important for both north-south and west-east transport routes.
Hungary will also be located on a more reliable, easier-to-calculate transit route compared to the past, so our role will also increase significantly, he pointed out.
He also highlighted that bilateral trade turnover is reaching new heights, its value has stabilized at over two billion euros. "So for Hungarian companies that work with Bulgarian partners, this is basically very good news that they can now calculate deliveries on time, much more calmly than before," he emphasized.
"Hungary also did this, the colleagues here admitted that it would not have been possible without Hungary, this is a process that has been going on for almost a decade, and the Hungarian presidency has now been able to put an end to it. Hungary has done this, and it is highly recognized here," he added.
Szijjártó also touched on the war in Ukraine and emphasized that the Bulgarian president has a similar position as the Hungarian government.
It has been proven that there is no solution on the battlefield, only a diplomatic solution, and we sincerely hope that these sane voices will be strengthened in Europe in the coming period thanks to the victory of President Donald Trump, and that this brutal war can finally be ended here in our common neighborhood - he summed up.
MTI
Cover photo: Péter Szijjártó
Source: Facebook/Péter Szijjártó
