All news

Hungary to oppose EU’s anti-Russian nuclear sanctions — Foreign Minister

Peter Szijjarto noted that "the European Commission has, obviously, commenced the development of the 10th sanctions package"
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto
© AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic

BUDAPEST, January 23. /TASS/. Hungary will not support any EU sanctions that would potentially limit cooperation with Russia in the nuclear field, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters during a break at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels Monday.

"Hungary will not support any sanctions that in any way limit nuclear cooperation with Russia," Szijjarto said.

The Minister noted that "the European Commission has, obviously, commenced the development of the 10th sanctions package." However, Hungary warned that it will not support any proposals "if they include restrictions on cooperation with Russia in the nuclear area," Szijjarto said.

"This would cause enormous damage to our country and violate its energy security," he underscored.

"I made it clear that nuclear energy is crucial for Hungary’s power supply," the Foreign Minister said, noting that the Paks Nuclear Power plant, which uses Russian nuclear fuel, provides half of the country’s energy supply.

"Without the Paks NPP, the current power supply in Hungary would be impossible. Just as it would be impossible to ensure Hungary’s power security in the upcoming decades without construction of new reactor units at the Paks NPP," Szijjarto said.