FM Szijjártó in Serbia: Hungary does not give up Russian oil, Druzhba pipeline

Serbia’s example demonstrates the vulnerability that comes from a country’s oil supply being dependent on a single pipeline, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Tuesday, adding that Hungary would not give in to pressure from either Brussels or Zagreb on this issue.

Speaking about energy security after meeting Bálint Pásztor, head of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ), in Belgrade, Szijjártó emphasised Hungary’s support for Serbia in exempting the country’s oil pipeline and its operator from sanctions imposed by the United States.

“This country finds itself in a situation where its oil supply is delivered through a single pipeline, and this demonstrates the vulnerability that comes with a country’s supply of an energy source being dependent on a single pipeline,” Szijjártó said, according to a ministry statement.

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Serbia depends on one pipeline

“The aggressive pressure from Brussels and the push by Zagreb would push Hungary into exactly this kind of vulnerable situation,” the minister said. “Brussels wants Hungary to be supplied through just one pipeline instead of the two that currently supply it, and this would make us dependent on this one delivery route and leave us at the mercy of the Croatian suppliers.”

“We can see here in Serbia what it means when a country’s oil is delivered through a single pipeline,” Szijjártó said. “And if this pipeline were to shut down for whatever reason — and there can be plenty in today’s world, be they political, legal or technical — it would lead to major trouble.”

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Hungary will not obey Zagreb, Brussels

Szijjártó said the Hungarian government would not allow either Brussels or Zagreb to force it into a situation where it would have to give up one of its two oil delivery routes, as this would render the country “completely vulnerable”.

“We Hungarians continue to stand up for our sovereignty, of which energy security is a fundamental component, because today decisions on energy supply are made through national decision-making,” he said.

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“It is fully a country’s sovereign right to decide where and from whom it buys energy from, and that’s a sovereign right we refuse to give up,” the minister said. “We insist both our sovereignty and our energy security which is fundamental for it.”

Development scheme continues

Meanwhile, Szijjártó noted Hungary’s economic development scheme in Vojvodina, which, he said, had allowed tens of thousands of Hungarians to remain in their homeland in recent years.

He expressed pride over VMSZ’s support for Serbia’s stability and for a return to normalcy in the country. Hungarians, Szijjártó said, had a vested interest in Serbia’s stability, assuring the country of Hungary’s friendship and solidarity.