Russian Oil Cut-Off Has No Immediate Impact on Hungary – Economy Minister

Text of report by Hungarian Kossuth Radio on 9 January

According to the economic affairs minister, the fact that no oil has been arriving in Hungary from Russia through the Friendship Pipeline since yesterday is causing no problems to supply in Hungary and is not producing price rises either. Janos Koka, speaking to “Chronicle” [this bulletin], has repeated that the shortfall can be fully made up from domestic reserves that cover for 90 days. This is the short-term solution. In the long run the shortfall can be made up through the Adria pipeline.

Starting from tonight, the domestic crude oil reserves will be gradually released, unless the Russian deliveries are resumed, the minister confirmed.

Janos Koka described it as very important that the opposition had expressed its intention to cooperate in order to resolve the situation.

The minister held coordination talks yesterday with the EU’s energy commissioner and he will leave for Brussels today. According to Janos Koka, Russia’s price and transport dispute with Ukraine last year and with Belarus now have again raised the need for the EU to work out an energy policy that makes the union independent from Russian oil and gas to some extent.

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