Szijjártó says Russia and Hungary to continue energy cooperation

Russia and Hungary intend to continue energy cooperation. This was stated by Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjártó in a video message published on his Facebook page on December 11 (banned in Russia, owned by Meta Corporation, recognized as extremist in Russia).

"We are now comparing and working out different ways to pay for the work at Paks-2 NPP and gas. Both sides are committed to preserving energy supply," he said.

Szijjártó said that after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he spoke with Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev about speeding up work at the Paks-2 nuclear power plant.

Orban's phone call with Putin became known earlier in the day. The Kremlin press service said that the conversation took place at the initiative of the Hungarian side. The report also specified that the Hungarian Prime Minister showed interest in assisting in the joint search for a solution to the political and diplomatic crisis in Ukraine, including involving the leaders of the West in the issue.

Earlier, on November 13, Peter Szijjarto announced the dates for pouring the first concrete into the foundation of the Paks-2 nuclear power plant. It could take place in January or February 2025.

In November 2023, Rosatom and the Hungarian Foreign Ministry signed a schedule for the construction of the Paks-2 nuclear power plant. It is designed until the early 2030s. Likhachev assured that the state corporation will pay "special attention" to the project and "the best forces" will be thrown at it. He also pointed out that the number of foreign companies participating in the construction project will increase.

The Paksh-2 NPP is the first Russian nuclear project on the territory of the European Union. Modern Russian VVER-1200 generation III+ power units meet the strictest international and European safety requirements.