The Energy Council adopted a partial general approach on the draft regulation governing the European network financing instrument for the 2028–2034 period, with Hungary abstaining from the vote. Energy Minister Lantos said a major shortcoming of the proposal was that it did not provide for support for fossil fuel infrastructure, despite the European Commission simultaneously expecting member states to diversify their gas procurement.
The minister stressed that Hungary considers it essential for European energy policy to be based on physical and geopolitical realities. He said only such an approach could result in a viable and rational energy strategy, and added that Hungary therefore expects financial support from the European Union for upgrades that strengthen the security of supply of hydrocarbon infrastructure.
The statement noted that ministers also discussed, for the first time, the European Network Package recently published by the European Commission. Energy Minister Lantos said that in recent years a new “electricity price wall” had emerged across Europe, stretching from Gdańsk to Trieste. He argued that this made further decisive steps necessary to improve the integration of electricity networks across the continent.
The minister raised concerns about the proposed top-down approach to planning future investments, saying it triggered legitimate worries among member states. While an EU-level coordinated framework could be forward-looking, Energy Minister Lantos emphasized that it would only be acceptable if it allowed sufficient room to take into account national characteristics and individual energy strategy priorities.
He underlined that differences in geography, infrastructure and energy mixes meant that a one-size-fits-all solution would not work for Europe. In his view, effective coordination must respect national competencies while contributing to stronger overall energy security.
Energy Minister Lantos concluded by reiterating the need to continue supporting hydrocarbon infrastructure projects alongside other energy investments, stressing that gas and oil networks remain indispensable for maintaining secure, affordable and reliable energy supplies in the years ahead.