Hungary seeks additional gas in Moscow
Péter Szijjártó with his Russian peer Sergey Lavrov
Image: Facebook
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó visited Moscow on Thursday with a government mandate to buy an additional 700 million cubic meters of gas, according to a report by state news wire MTI.
At a joint press conference with his Russian peer, Sergey Lavrov, Szijjártó said Hungary has taken steps to make additional pipeline capacity available for the delivery of 20 million cubic meters of gas a day. He added that the Hungarian government has taken decisions on financing for the additional gas volume and signed the necessary agreements.
Talks have started at the professional and corporate levels, Szijjártó said, adding that his trip to Moscow was intended to advance the delivery of the extra gas.
"In the current market situation, it is clear that getting another 700 million cubic meters of gas is impossible without deliveries from Russia, whether we like it or not," he said.
The government issued the mandate to buy the gas, in addition to volumes Hungary is getting in the framework of long-term delivery contracts, a week earlier, declaring an energy "state of emergency" as gas shortages in Europe loomed.
Lavrov said Russia would "immediately weigh" Hungary's request for more gas.
In addition to ensuring Hungary's secure energy supply in the coming months, Szijjártó said he had also come to Moscow to make clear that "Hungary wants peace as soon as possible" and urged an immediate ceasefire and peace talks.
He added that Hungary does not wish to be "on the periphery", again, between two blocs.
In addition to meeting with Lavrov, Szijjártó held talks with Alexander Novak, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister for the Fuel–Energy Complex, and with Denis Manturov, the Deputy PM for Trade and Industry.
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