Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó said Hungary and Bulgaria have a close alliance on the security of natural gas supply and the use of nuclear energy as well, adding that this contributed greatly to Hungary’s long-term energy security.
Most of the natural gas Hungary imports is delivered via Bulgaria through the TurkStream pipeline which runs from Russia to Hungary via Turkey, Bulgaria and Serbia, Minister Szijjártó noted, while speaking with Bulgarian Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov. Hungary received 5.6 billion cubic metres of gas via this delivery route last year, which accounts for around 65 per cent of the country’s annual consumption, the minister said.
“So we have an interest in the TurkStream gas pipeline remaining a secure and reliable route for gas deliveries to Hungary,” he said. “Bulgaria has once again guaranteed that we can continue to rely on them and their fair approach in the coming period and that the TurkStream gas pipeline will continue to function as one of Europe’s most secure and predictable routes.”
Meanwhile, the minister also highlighted Hungary and Bulgaria’s cooperation in the area of nuclear energy, noting that nuclear power accounted for a significant share of both countries’ energy supply.
“Bulgaria also has a nuclear power plant and it is planning to increase the long-term share of nuclear energy in its energy mix, as are we,” he said. “The expansion of the Paks plant is progressing well, with 17,000 out of 75,000 piles already in place where the two new reactors will be, and the first concrete remains on track to be poured by the end of the year.”