Istanbul: Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, emphasized the critical need for Hungary to collaborate with Serbia, Bulgaria, and Turkey to secure a stable energy supply amidst increasing external pressures. Speaking at the Istanbul Energy Forum, Minister Szijjártó underscored that energy security is a matter of national security and sovereignty, stressing that it transcends political and ideological boundaries.
According to About Hungary, Minister Szijjártó highlighted that energy choices should be the prerogative of individual nations, free from external political or economic interference. He strongly criticized any actions that threaten a nation’s energy security, such as sanctions or obstructive measures against energy deliveries, labeling them as attacks on national sovereignty. “We reject all such initiatives which are especially heinous when they come without prior notice,” he stated emphatically.
The minister expressed concern over the United States’ outgoing administration’s deci
sion to include Russia’s Gazprombank on a sanctions list, which he noted could present significant challenges for Central and Southeastern European countries.
In response to these developments, Minister Szijjártó called for strengthened regional cooperation among the affected nations to ensure energy stability. He commended Serbia, Bulgaria, and Turkey for their reliability as transit countries for energy supplies, asserting that Hungary is not prepared to replace these dependable partners without a superior alternative.
Minister Szijjártó’s remarks at the forum highlight the strategic importance of regional alliances in maintaining energy security amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.
