Hungary does not intend to follow the example of the other member countries of the European Union which show their desire to emancipate themselves from imports of Russian gas. On March 6, Budapest, which had signed two contracts with Gazprom in September 2021, announced that Hungary would maintain its Russian gas deliveries. 80% of its gas consumption comes from Russia. For Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, interviewed by Veszpremi Naploban on March 6, preserving the partnership between Hungary and Russia in this area is imperative.
« Gas delivery contracts with the Russians have always been honored by both parties “, declared the minister who hopes ” that it will continue ». « Otherwise, a huge problem will arise. “, he estimated.
« Imports from Russia account for more than 40% of Europe’s natural gas supply. In the case of Hungary, Russian imports represent more than 80% of the gas consumed in the country “, recalled the head of Hungarian diplomacy. ” If the opposition’s proposal to stop gas imports [russe] was put into practice, Hungary would have no more heat, no more industry, no more jobs — and businesses would go bankrupt », At-il having you.
« Continuing gas supply is in our interest “, argued Peter Szijjarto, who argued that this was” fully compliant with European rules, as Gazprom is not on the sanctions list in any form, and Gazprombank is not on the list of banks to be disconnected from SWIFT ».
Last September, Hungary signed two long-term contracts with Gazprom. Via gas pipelines passing through Serbia and Austria and bypassing Ukraine, Russia will supply Hungary with a total of 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas. This agreement is scheduled to last 15 years, but it may be reviewed within 10 years depending on the start of its implementation.
