Central, southern European countries discuss energy security

Dubrovnik, Croatia, July 10 (MTI) – Participants in a conference of central and southern European countries in Croatia’s Dubrovnik passed decisions on the early implementation of three projects which Hungary considers crucial for its energy security, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto told MTI by phone on Friday.

Szijjarto said the first project was a liquefied natural gas terminal on the island of Krk, to which Hungary has offered its cooperation.

Concerning the second project, in which a Hungary-Croatia gas interconnector would be made capable of handling reverse flows, Szijjarto said that implementation has “never been this close”. He added that Hungary considered Croatia’s requesting a delay from the European Commission an “unfriendly move” and voiced hope that the EC would not allow postponing the project’s implementation.

On the subject of the third project, in which the Hungary-Romania interconnector would similarly be made a two-way facility, Szijjarto said that once implemented, it would ensure gas supplies of an annual 4.4 billion cubic metres for Hungary.

The ministers attending the conference approved a list of seven projects to be implemented with European Union funding as soon as possible. The document is “fully in line” with Hungary’s energy security interests, Szijjarto said. It is important, he added, that projects are implemented through which central Europe’s current energy security level can be maintained. That is why, he said, interconnectors facilitating reverse flows in the region, a strategic gas pipeline between Turkey and central Europe, as well as the LNG terminal in Croatia are crucial objectives.

Energy ministers of central and southern Europe will next meet in Budapest, Szijjarto said.

On the sidelines of the conference, Szijjarto met Victoria Nuland, US assistant secretary of state, who voiced her country’s appreciation for Hungary’s efforts to increase energy security in central Europe, Szijjarto told MTI.

At their meeting, Nuland mentioned Hungary’s electoral system, media regulations, and the judiciary as open issues. In response, Szijjarto said that Hungary’s rules and their application in those areas “fully stand the test of European laws and values”.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters