Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said talks aimed at ensuring Hungary’s long-term supply of crude oil "are nearing their final stage", despite a lack of support from the European Commission.
The foreign ministry quoted Minister Szijjártó as saying on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting that “Hungary’s energy supplies are secure despite the challenges you are familiar with”, referring to deepening conflicts in the world. “Regrettably, the European Commission is continuing an unacceptable behaviour concerning the situation that has arisen with Ukraine practically banning Russian company Lukoil’s shipments to Hungary and Slovakia,” Szijjártó said. The commission should take action since Ukraine’s move “seriously impacts Hungary’s oil supplies,” he said, noting the association agreement between the European Union and Ukraine, under which the latter party “must not hinder the transit of energy to EU members”. “Despite Ukraine’s violation of the association agreement … it is clear that we cannot rely on support from the EC,” he said, adding that the Hungarian government was conducting negotiations “full steam” to ensure balanced supplies in the long run. Meanwhile, Szijjártó said gas supplies to Hungary were unaffected by an escalation of fighting between Russia and Ukraine.