The United States supports the strengthening of energy security in central Europe, Hungary’s foreign minister told MTI after meeting officials in the US state department.

In the meeting, Szijjarto defended Hungary’s investment in its Paks nuclear power plant as well as construction of the South Stream gas pipeline.

The Hungarian minister held talks with Amos Hochstein, the acting special envoy for international energy affairs at the Bureau of Energy Resources, and agreed that from the point of view of central European energy security and general security, the creation of a north-south energy corridor is of critical importance. The US administration recognises the importance of one of the links in this chain, namely the Hungarian-Slovak gas network interconnector, which will be ready for commercial use next year, he noted.

The sides agreed to cooperate on bringing about investments for connecting up the entire north-south corridor, he said. Szijjarto noted that the US administration also supports the fastest possible construction of the LNG terminal on the Croatian coast, and it is prepared to provide assistance to ensure that the Hungarian-Croatian bidirectional interconnector comes online as soon as possible.

Szijjarto noted that Hungary is currently able to provide gas in the direction of Croatia but not the other way round. Hochstein said that it is in the interest of the US that bidirectional distribution should be made possible as quickly as possible and “therefore we can count on their support”.

The minister briefed Hochstein about Hungary’s intention to implement its Paks investment, which he said would be one “of the most important milestones” of Hungarian energy security. The government also strives for Hungary to have the cheapest energy prices in Europe with a view to attracting investments and creating the most competitive economic environment possible.

“I also told him that the Hungarian government continues to support construction of the South Stream gas pipeline because this would represent an advance in terms of diversification of supply routes, and this is how central Europe can contribute to energy security,” he said.

Asked by MTI how Hochstein reacted, Szijjarto said Hochstein did not comment on the Paks issue but in connection with South Stream, Hochstein underlined previous US objections and reservations.

“I drew his attention to the fact that with the collapse of the Nabucco project, an opportunity had been lost both in terms of the route and diversification,” the minister said, adding that South Stream was the only other opportunity to achieve these goals.

Szijjarto said the US had noted with appreciation Hungarian gas supplies to Ukraine.