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Russia considers Hungarian Paks-2 NPP project strategic — FM

According to Sergey Lavrov, the project will contribute to strengthening Hungary's energy security, creation of new jobs and development of the Hungarian economy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto Alexander Scherbak/TASS

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto

© Alexander Scherbak/TASS

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Moscow does not doubt that Hungary will explain situation with Paks NPP to EU — FM

BUDAPEST, May 25. /TASS/. The project on expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant will contribute to the energy security of Hungary, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto.

"We consider this project (Paks-2) to be a strategic one, in particular due to its high-tech and long-term nature. We are convinced that this project will contribute to strengthening Hungary's energy security, creation of new jobs and development of the Hungarian economy in general," Lavrov said.

"The Paks nuclear plant has been operating for a long time. Hungary is interested in raising its energy security, and an agreement to that effect will be reached taking in considering interests of each other and on the base of mutual benefit," Lavrov said.

When touching upon the protest of Hungarian green activists against the implementation of the Paks-2 project, the Russian minister said:

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"I am convinced that the latest technologies that are offered by Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, are the safest. We have standards that were developed after the tragedy at the Fukushima plant in Japan and in terms of certain parameters these standards are much more demanding that the nuclear security standards applied in other countries, including the EU. The organizations that are really interested in protection of the environment can receive all necessary information."

Russia and Hungary signed documents in January 2014 on building new power units on the site of Hungary’s sole Paks NPP that had been constructed by Soviet specialists.

Immediately after the deal was signed, attempts were made in Europe to block it, including an active campaign in the leading European media that accused Budapest of increasing its energy dependence on Russia.

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Foreign policy Nuclear energy Hungary

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