Hungary seeks closer ties with northern Europe, says foreign minister in Norway

Budapest (MTI) – Hungary wants to make its ties with northern Europe closer and more dynamic, since the region significantly impacts the rest of Europe in terms of security, the environment and energy, Péter Szijjártó said in Norway’s Tromso on Tuesday.

Speaking to MTI by phone, the Hungarian foreign minister said that Hungary would focus on developing its ties with Norway in the first place, with Hungarian oil and gas company Mol playing a crucial role in the process.

He noted that Mol has doubled its exploration portfolio due to the acquisition of a Norwegian company in 2015, adding that Mol was planning to invest some 500 million dollars in Norway in the next five years.

Norway is also important in terms of energy supplies, and Norwegian gas, first purchased last year, will contribute to Hungary’s energy security, Szijjártó said.

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The minister added that both governments will focus on health cooperation with a view to providing treatment to Norwegian patients in Hungary, as well as on efforts to increase Hungary’s farm exports to Norway.

Szijjártó is in Tromso to attend an international conference dubbed Arctic Frontiers.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI