Hungary committed to peaceful use of nuclear energy

Budapest, December 5 (MTI) – Hungary is firmly committed to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Vienna on Monday.

Hungary has a fast developing, peaceful nuclear programme, through which the cheap, safe and efficient production of nuclear energy can give a long-term boost to sustainable development, Szijjártó told a conference organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The government therefore made a decision to increase the share of nuclear energy in Hungary’s energy mix, he added.

Szijjártó noted that Hungary is upgrading and expanding its sole nuclear plant, as the country aims to increase the share of nuclear power in the energy mix to 70 percent in the medium term.

The minister emphasised Hungary’s commitment to nuclear safety, adding, however, that the threat of terrorism posed a major security challenge for the whole of Europe.

He said all IAEA member states must do their best to guarantee the safe use of nuclear energy, adding that this requires international cooperation.

The five-day conference is being attended by government ministers, political decision makers and experts from 130 countries.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI