Nemeth: Central Europe’s energy security, geopolitics closely linked

Budapest (MTI) – The security of energy supplies in Central Europe and the region’s geopolitical future are inseparable, Zsolt Nemeth, the head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said.

Addressing a roundtable on the role of the US in Europe’s energy security, Nemeth said the region’s ability to become competitive in Europe and worldwide is of key importance for its future. A big part of this competitiveness is whether it can access cheap energy resources in the longer term, he said.

Central European countries have many unique features so no blanket project for stability can be drawn up, he added. At the same time, whilst there may be differences in interests, the stability of each country is a fundamental interest of the region as a whole, Nemeth said.

As regards the role of the US, Nemeth said it would be important that the US helps Central Europe with energy infrastructure, which it does not have as yet. The liquefied gas terminal in Croatia is especially important, he added.

Anita Orban, former roving ambassador in charge of energy security, said Brussels and Washington have seen eye to eye on many issues regarding Central Europe’s energy security in recent months. This points to the future of small link networks, energy corridors and access to liquefied gas markets, she said.