U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó called for the diversification of Central Europe’s energy supply at a joint Hungarian-American ministerial press conference in Budapest on Tuesday.
Rick Perry said Washington is against the construction of the Russian natural gas pipeline in the direction of Central Europe, and would like Hungary not to link to it.
“Russia is using energy sources as a weapon, and for this reason relieving dependence on Russian gas is also a security issue”, he stressed.
In addition to diversification, the Secretary of Energy from President Trumps’ administration also suggested that the region realise the development of liquid natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, in view of the fact that is enables access to a rapidly developing market.
According to Mr. Szijjártó, the Croatian LNG terminal on the island of Krk and the extraction of Romanian gas from under the Black Sea could both represent a solution.
“Hungary is counting on the mediation of the United State with relation to both issues”, he added.
“The Government has done its duty and conducted the negotiations with the affected parties, and will be constructing the required infrastructure”, Mr. Szijjártó said, adding however, that Hungary is also counting on traditional energy sources and regards it as a double standard that the shipment of Russian gas to Central Europe is being called into question, while Western Europe is preparing to conclude a huge energy deal with Moscow.
In reply to a question from the press, Rick Perry said the United Sates will continue to assist the successful conclusion of talks between Hungary and other countries in the region in view of the fact that it regards assuring both sources and transport opportunities as important.
“The United States respects the Paks nuclear power station project, which is being realised with the involvement of American suppliers”, he stated, but added that in future talks must also be held on the establishment of smaller, modular reactors.
“The United States is performing major research within this field, in addition to which it is developing many technologies to help it become the world’s leading oil and gas producer, thus also assisting the countries of Central and Eastern Europe”, Rick Perry added.
As he explained, multiple energy sources do not enable the region to be “held ransom”.
On the subject of American-Russian relations, he noted that the parties must respect the rule of law, but Russia has deviated from this, and accordingly the sanctions introduced against it are justified.
Mr. Szijjártó declared that it would be favourable for Hungary if the Turkish Stream gas pipeline were to reach the border, and that it shouldn’t represent a problem in view of the fact that Western Europe is planning the arrival of a natural gas pipeline with a much higher capacity.
(MTI)
