Breaking: Hungary signs historic nuclear agreement with the United States
During his visit to Washington, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced that Hungary will, for the first time, purchase nuclear fuel from the United States. According to the minister, this is a key step for the country’s energy security, as Hungary’s expanding industrial capacity requires an increasingly stable and substantial electricity supply.
Why does Hungary need American fuel?
In recent years, Hungary has attracted record levels of investment, with several new energy-intensive factories being built. Szijjártó stressed that, in order to maintain the achievements of the government’s household utility price cuts and to guarantee a secure energy supply, the country must continue to expand its nuclear capacity – and this requires new sources of fuel.
He explained that, while Hungary will maintain its existing supplier relationships, the procurement of American nuclear fuel will also begin. This has never happened before in the country’s history, MTI reported, as cited by 24.hu.
Used fuel to be stored on-site
Szijjártó noted that another important element of the agreement is the storage of used nuclear fuel using advanced American technology, which will allow the spent fuel to be safely stored within the Paks Nuclear Power Plant site.
He emphasised that this technology ensures that radioactive materials pose no threat to human health or the environment.
Small modular reactors may also be introduced
The third pillar of the cooperation concerns the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). These compact units could, in the future, provide stable power for industrial zones or even entire districts, and are considered one of the most promising emerging technologies in nuclear energy worldwide.
A new chapter in Hungarian-American relations
The intergovernmental nuclear cooperation agreement is set to be signed on Friday by Péter Szijjártó and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Hungarian minister stated that this opens a new dimension in the relationship between the two countries.
Szijjártó also expressed hope that the United States will extend the waiver allowing Hungary to continue the Paks expansion project, which is currently valid only until December. He highlighted that American companies are already involved in the construction process, including IBM with its digital technologies, InfoStart reported.
Balancing energy supply and geopolitics
Szijjártó stressed that Hungary’s energy security must not be compromised. He argued that restricting imports of Russian energy would lead to sharply rising prices and a destabilised supply system. According to him, the government’s aim remains to ensure that Hungary continues to have the lowest residential energy prices in Europe.
Hungarian delegation arrives in the United States
The Hungarian Prime Minister and a government delegation arrived in Washington on Thursday evening. According to Flightradar data, the chartered Wizz Air aircraft carrying the delegation landed in the US capital shortly after 8 PM Hungarian time.
The purpose of the visit includes discussions with the US government on the future of sanctions targeting Russian energy sources, which directly influence Hungary’s energy strategy.
Contradictions or significant changes?
The Facebook page Vastagbőr (“Thick skin”) drew attention to an interesting fact today: while just a few months ago, in May, Péter Szijjártó stated that “nuclear facilities using Russian technology currently operate exclusively with Russian-made fuel elements,” today he announced that Hungary will purchase American nuclear fuel elements “in the interests of Hungarian energy security and reducing utility costs”.
Also this morning, during his regular interview on Kossuth Radio, Viktor Orbán said: “In the past, you couldn’t deny on Tuesday what you said on Monday.” Of course, we can assume that so much has changed since May that Russian facilities can now operate with American fuel elements: everyone can decide for themselves.
😂🤣
is Szijártó the same guy who said they wont get rid of the Russian Nuclear power?
wow how quickly the change is!
We are not getting rid of Russian Nuclear Power. We just, I think, have to favour the Americans equally. THis is politics.
Great news! Nuclear is the way to go! Hungary should also reopen coal mines, explore hydroelectric energy potential, and start drilling and fracking. THAT is energy independence and security; not those ridiculous solar panels and windmills.