Eastern-Central-Europe continues to remain exposed from the respect of energy security, and Hungary, too, is vulnerable, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on Tuesday in Budapest after he received Maros Sefcovic, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Energy Union.
Mr Szijjártó added: the fact that Romania and Croatia have not implemented the projects related to interconnectors, in spite of their obligations under EU and bilateral agreements, makes the development of the gas transportation infrastructure more difficult.
In answer to a question, Péter Szijjártó said: there will be no increase in household utility charges in Hungary „as long as you see us here, in this position”. The Hungarian Government is seeking to conclude an agreement with the European Union which will not increase household utility expenses, he added.
The Minister pointed out: the European Union should induce the Member States to honour their obligations in order to avoid situation such as in Hungary where the Government – with effective aid from the EU – has invested significant amounts of money in the improvement of energy security – a development which has also improved the situation of other countries –, while this move has not be reciprocated.
Mr Szijjártó highlighted: the Government makes every effort to guarantee Hungary’s energy security, and is seeking to interconnect the energy networks of the countries of the region. Purchasing the largest possible quantity of energy from the largest possible number of sources is a fundamental condition of maintaining the policy of reducing household utility bills, he remarked.
The Minister also stated that the development of a strategic high-capacity gas pipeline in the region which creates a link between Turkey and the Central-European region is among Hungary’s tasks. This represents not only a diversification of routes but also a diversification of sources, he added. Among the most important results, Mr Szijjártó highlighted that the commercial operation of the interconnector that connects Hungary and Slovakia together may begin as of the first of July. He also pointed out that Hungary was the first EU Member State which entered into an agreement with Ukraine on the two-way transportation of gas, setting an example for the rest of the Member States in how to connect Ukraine to the common European energy market.
Maros Sefcovic stressed: the energy union cannot be controlled from above. During the course of his tour of Europe, he will equally concentrate on the views of governmental representatives, non-governmental organisations and members of the public. The purpose of the energy union is to ensure the free physical flow of all types of gas and electricity supply among the Member States and to reduce the EU’s dependence on energy originating from third countries, he pointed out.
The Vice President highly praised Hungary’s constructive and responsible approach to the construction of interconnectors which is exemplary also on a regional level. He stressed: the interconnectors must be made capable of two-way gas transmission within the shortest possible time. Mr Sefcovic said that he understands the Hungarian Government’s “sensitive approach” to helping vulnerable consumers. In addition to creating an environment that is favourable for investors, it is also among the goals of the energy union to offer protection to vulnerable consumers and to provide support through the general welfare system, he added.