On Hungary’s energy diversification, Szijjártó said the start of gas deliveries from Azerbaijan, slated for later this year, would be an important step. The political agreement has been signed already, and trade talks have also been successful, he said. Hungary expects to receive 100 million cubic meters of gas this year already, he said. At the same time, development of south-eastern European infrastructure is key to the success of the project, he said. Current capacities would not be enough to make a difference in energy diversification, he added. “This is a task for the European Union. [South-east European countries] are right to expect the EU to fund developments to increase gas delivery capacities,” he said.
Chișinău is hosting a meeting of the European Political Community on June 1, which is expected to bring a “decision on developing transport and energy ties between the EU and its border territories,” he said. “We find it unacceptable that the EU rejects funding natural gas infrastructure, and see gas as an important pillar of energy security at present and in the coming years,” he said. Gas from Azerbaijan is a key alternative for Hungary and Moldova too, he said.
Earlier in the day, Szijjártó met Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Economic Development Minister Dumitru Alaiba, Sergiu Prodan, the minister of culture.