SZIJJÁRTÓ: BEGINNING OF JOINT OFFSHORE PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION LATE 2025 OR EARLY 2026

BELGRADE, APRIL 2 /SRNA/ - Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó has announced today that the construction of the Hungary - Serbia offshore pipeline will begin at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2026.

Szijjártó, after the meeting with the Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia, Dubravka Đedović-Handanović, says he expects the new offshore pipeline to be operational by 2028, which together with the Balkan Stream enables Hungary and Serbia to be energy secured.

"That way will help us not to be left to others regarding either gas or oil supply," Szijjártó said at a joint press conference.

Szijjártó stated that the Ukrainian war puts serious challenges ahead all the Central Europe countries when it comes to energy supply, which is why Serbia and Hungary had to rely on their own powers.

"We got no help from Brussels, moreover, measures against our interests were passed, they made energy products supply difficult for us. Without efficient and closer cooperation, we would not be able to respond to this challenge," said Szijjártó.

He has assessed that several years ago, Hungary and Serbia made a brave decision to build the Balkan Stream, without which there would be no gas supply today.

"Each new pipeline strengthens our cooperation. Not every transit country can be trusted. That's why building a new pipeline from Hungary to Serbia is justified," concluded Szijjártó.