Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, discussed Hungary-Russia energy cooperation with Russian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of energy affairs Alexander Novak over the phone on Tuesday.
Minister Szijjártó said on Facebook that he and Novak were in agreement that crude oil and natural gas deliveries were being fulfilled in line with the contract, without disturbances. He said Novak had assured him that “despite the international sanctions, Russia is able to complete maintenance on the TurkStream gas pipeline and Hungary’s natural gas supplies will remain undisturbed in the upcoming period”. He also said that they had discussed the construction of new blocks in the Paks nuclear power station and established that good progress was being made in the preparations. New nuclear capacities are vital for secure energy supplies in Hungary, and the government will therefore continue to prevent any sanctions affecting nuclear energy, he added. He said he had also informed Novak about recent talks with the Framatome company aiming to ensure that despite the blocking efforts by the German government, western European control technology should be installed in the new power station.