In Prague on Thursday, the Czech, Hungarian and Slovak foreign ministers stated that, in terms of energy security, joining the Southern Gas Corridor is in the fundamental interest of the Central European region. Due to the formation of a new government, the Polish foreign minister could not attend the meeting.

At the Prague European Summit organised as part of an international political forum, Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó told Hungarian News Agency MTI: “It seems, however, that there are some European interests which are trying to obstruct the connection of Central Europe with energy sources via a corridor through the Balkans”.

“We are aware of the cooperation of Dutch, German, British and French companies with Gazprom, aimed at doubling the capacity of the Nord Stream pipeline. Should that be realized, however, the energy security of Central Europe would continue to be at risk, and we would be even further away from energy security”, the Minister pointed out.

In terms of energy security, it is in the primary interest of Central Europe to connect the Southern Gas Corridor – which would transport gas from Azerbaijan to Europe – with Central Europe. According to Mr. Szijjártó, the question of which route it will take is only secondary. It is of utmost importance, however, that there is at least one such project.

He said that the European Union applies double standards in its different approaches to the Nord Stream and Southern Stream gas pipelines.
Mr. Szijjártó also declared the common viewpoint of the Visegrád countries: “We reject double standards, and so we will take joint action in order to guarantee the energy security of Central Europe and to have the EU consider it as a common European interest”.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)