“2017 is the year of connections for Hungarian-Slovakian relations”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday in Bratislava, where an agreement was concluded on the construction of a cross-border electricity line between Slovakia and Hungary.

The agreement was signed by CEO of Hungarian Transmission System Operator Plc. (MAVIR) Kamilla Csomai, and CEO of Slovak Electricity Transmission System Plc. Miroslav Obert. “The new strategic link will significantly contribute to Europe’s energy security and to increasing the stability of the electricity transmission system, in addition to facilitating trade on international electricity markets”, the parties stated.

“The signing of the agreement has made it clear that 2017 is the year of connections for Hungarian-Slovakian relations”, Mr. Szijjártó declared. “What Hungary and Slovakia have already shown in recent years, that through joint success stories even the most sensitive bilateral relations can lead to the development of an alliance, has been proven once again”, he pointed out.

“The two countries are extremely dependent on each other in the ever-increasing economic competition, and the establishment of this connection is also important, because in addition to improving both countries’ energy security, it also contributes to increasing competitiveness”, Mr. Szijjártó highlighted.

“Together with the already realised interconnection of the two countries’ natural gas networks, the latest agreement will lead to the creation of a fully integrated, connected energy system”, he indicated. “Several other infrastructure links will also be created this year: the construction of the bridge connecting Komárom with Rávkomárom in Slovakia will begin this year, as will the construction of the dual carriageway at Rajka. The contribution of five new bridges across the River Ipoly is under preparation, as well as several new road links and a ferry connection”, he added.

Following the signing of the agreement, Slovakian Economy Peter Ziga stressed: “A long process of several years led to the signing of the contract, which is further proof of our extremely good Slovakian-Hungarian relations”. “Thanks to the new link, electricity transmission capacity between the two countries will be doubled, but the construction of the cross-border electricity line is not only important for our two countries, but is also of key importance to the European Union”, he pointed out.

Slovakian Finance Minister Peter Kazimir called the project one of the most important investment of recent years, which contributes to the further development of Hungarian-Slovakian relations, and which is also being welcomed by other countries in the region.

Following the signing of the agreement, Mr. Szijjártó and the Slovakian ministers present also signed a ministerial letter on the conclusion of a construction contract, which will be submitted to the European Union’s Commissioner for Energy, Maroš Šefčovič.

The 400 kV Hungarian-Slovakian cross-border electricity line, which will be 69 kilometres long, will be realised with an investment of 80 million euros and is expected to come into commission by December 2020.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)