Minister Szijjártó: More Hungary-Romania border crossings planned, closer energy cooperation

The Hungarian and Romanian governments plan to increase the number of border crossings with the aim of ending long waiting times, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said on Monday in Bucharest, adding that both sides were committed to further developing mutually beneficial cooperation.

Schengen: new border crossings, new railway line

After talks with several members of the newly inaugurated cabinet, Péter Szijjártó spoke of the strategic importance of developing cross-border infrastructure.

A ministry statement noted that Romania became a full-fledged member of the Schengen Area during Hungary’s EU presidency and border controls were “finally eliminated”, reducing “uncertainty resulting from long waiting times”.

Szijjártó welcomed the increase of crossings from 12 to 22, thereby reducing the average distance between crossings from 37km to 20km.

An agreement on opening further crossings is in the pipeline, and the two countries have signed an agreement on rebuilding the bridge in Magyarcsanád and constructing a new railway line between Szeged and Timisoara (Temesvár), he noted.

Szijjártó also praised Romania as “one of Hungary’s most important economic partners” and its third largest export market. Hungarian companies such as Hell, Mol, Wizz Air and Richter are market leaders in Romania, he added.

Energy cooperation between Hungary and Romania

Energy cooperation between the two countries, he said, greatly enhanced the security of supplies for both countries, adding that he and the ministers reinforced their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties in the sector. The Hungary-Romania interconnector piped 1,7 billion cubic meters of gas to Hungary last year, and Romania is preparing to tap a new sea gas field. “If all goes well”, this could provide new resources in central Europe by 2027, he added.

“In this new situation, we have a vested interest in expanding gas trade cooperation. The relevant talks are already under way between our companies,” he said.

Meanwhile, a JV has been set up in preparation of Hungary’s cooperation with Azerbaijan, Romania and Georgia to import green energy from the Caucasus region, Szijjártó said.

New government

The minister also welcomed the inclusion of Romania’s Hungarian RMDSZ party in the new cabinet, saying hopes were hight that this would greatly improve bilateral cooperation. RMDSZ also heads the “two important ministries” of development and finance, he noted.

“There’s no doubt in Romania … that the politicians of RMDSZ are trustworthy and will add considerable value to the government’s performance,” he said.

In talks with Romanian counterpart Emil Hurezenau, Szijjártó said the focus would fall on pragmatic cooperation, and they were in agreement that central Europe needed peace, development and stability.