Orbán cabinet: Hungarian homes would be left without heating without Russian gas
Energy supplies are not affected by the latest round of EU sanctions against Russia, and Hungary’s energy supply is still secure, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said in a video on Facebook on Tuesday.
“We have managed to ensure that the nuclear industry, natural gas, oil and coal are totally exempted from the latest round of sanctions,” he said, adding that no obstacles were in the way of the maintenance of the Paks nuclear power plant, its fuel supply, or its expansion.
Also, Szijjártó said mineral imports such as manganese ore relied on by certain Hungarian industries would also be exempted. Further, an oil field in Russia operated by Hungarian oil and gas company MOL in a joint venture with a Turkish energy company would be unaffected, he said.
The minister said that in the course of debates in Brussels on new sanctions against Russia, the thorniest concerned how new sanctions would affect the Russian energy sector and energy supplies to Europe.
“We made the Hungarian position clear from the start: we won’t allow the Hungarian people to pay the price of the war or allow the security of Hungary’s energy supply to be jeapordised,”
he said. The minister said that whereas Hungary regarded as important to maintain European unity, “we have a red line, namely the security of Hungary’s energy supply”.
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Szijjártó said that
if Russian gas supplies were shut down, “as some Hungarian leftists have called for”, Hungarian homes would be left without heating and industry would be hamstrung. Further, without Russian oil supplies, fuel supplies would be disrupted, while without coal imports, the operations of iron and steel plants would be severely curtailed, he added.
Outlining the EU’s sixth sanctions package, he said additional Russian business leaders would be sanctioned, trade in luxury goods between EU member states and Russia banned, and regulations on financial transactions and exports of dual-use items tightened. Imports of some processed iron and steel products from Russia will be banned, and exports of certain European technologies for use in Russia’s energy sector will be restricted, he added.
Finance minister: Hungary energy supplies to remain secure
Energy supplies in Hungary will remain secure in the upcoming period, with no European Union sanctions planned that would affect oil or gas supplies, the finance minister said after a meeting of EU economy and finance ministers in Brussels on Tuesday.
Mihály Varga said that
those demanding a shut-down of Russian energy supplies must also take into consideration energy security and competitiveness aspects which prevent replacing Russian crude oil and gas acquisitions.
Lets forget for a moment, the importance, as it is of Gas – to the population of Hungary from Russia.
Lets ask ourselves this penetrative QUESTION ;
How is the present Government – of Hungary – with ALL that is Happening in the Ukraine / Russian conflict of war, the Chinese “sitting on the fence” or the possibility of undertaking deals – with Russia – that are “under the table” – outside – SANCTIONING Guidelines on Russia by the Major Players – the question to the Government of Hungary led by Prime Minister – Victor Orban is ;
“How are YOU going to keep the Home Fires Burning – for Hungary – the 9.6 million of US – that through the ENCOURAGED position – the Relationship of NEED and DEPENDENCY – built with Russia – the Government HAVE established. ”
Hungary – we are DEEPLY wedged – through our intense closeness of relationships with – Russia & China – that the Global World – grows angrier – there mounting and expansional position of DISPLEASURE – on a Daily basics.
The expression – “To keep the Home Fires Burning ” means – to maintain a daily life-style routine and the ability to provide the necessities of life in a home – in a country – and in communities.
Hungary – because of our RELATIONSHIP – the supply of gas for domestic use & “other” – from Russia – it may be maintained – BUT – the expression explanation of – “To keep the Home Fires Burning ” – that’s – an additional Challenge to the present Government of Hungary – in POWER.
St. Francis of Assisi – message to us – Blessed and Rich Words of Wisdom ;
“Start by doing What’s Necessary;
Then Do What’s Possible;
And Suddenly
YOU are DOING the Impossible”.
Hungary has natural gas and oil under its feet, in the shale fields of the southern region. It can extract that and be energy independent.
There is shale gas all over Europe. Extracting such gas would be a big source of revenue, create high paying jobs and create energy security.
Those that oppose clean natural gas and safe fracking are the obstacle.
Erik,
Drilling into Shale Fields – pressure water & chemicals in combination used to obtain natural gas – termed Fracking – is this process Environmentally friendly ?
Reports I have “Flippantly” read, did indicate the water & chemicals – seeping into underground and surface water catchment areas – streams & rivers – are not Environmentally friendly and cause Water pollution.
Maybe you could expand your appreciated by this commentator explanation, and pass comment – on what I have refered in my commentory.
We have to think “outside the square” – otherwise Hungary we do leave ourselves dangerously exposed – the high level of Gas we Import in this period of time from Russia.
Thank-You.