Georgia key to Hungary energy security, says official

Tbilisi, September 9 (MTI) – Georgia is a key partner in terms of Hungary’s energy diversity as that country’s approval is necessary for the construction of the Southern Corridor gas pipeline, Zsolt Nemeth, head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said in Tbilisi on Wednesday.

Nemeth spoke following talks with Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili and Georgian counterpart Tedo Japaridze. Nemeth said Georgia remains an important partner for Hungary’s long-term energy diversification goals regardless of whether Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan or Iran will be the one supplying gas through the Southern Corridor pipeline. The pipeline would serve to ease Hungary’s dependence on Russian gas, Nemeth noted.

He said Hungary supports Georgia’s euroatlantic integration and stressed the importance of accelerating visa liberalisation for the country. Nemeth said it was crucial for Georgia to “stabilise its democracy, respect fundamental rights” and to ensure that next year’s elections are “free and fair”.

Nemeth said bilateral relations are “deep and friendly”, adding that Hungary disapproves of the occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Photo: energiainfo.hu

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