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Hungary to broaden energy cooperation with Russia — foreign minister

Peter Szijjarto also noted that he had always had friendly relations with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak who is responsible for energy policy

SIRIUS /Federal Territory/, March 27. /TASS/. Hungary is highly satisfied with its partnership with Russia in the energy sphere and is going to expand cooperation in this area, Foreign Minister of Hungary Peter Szijjarto told TASS in an interview.

"When it comes to the reliability and the effectiveness of our energy cooperation, we are absolutely satisfied. We have received so far all energy resources on time, according to the contract on the agreed price. So, there is no reason why not to work on the further improvement and the further widening of this cooperation," the minister said.

Szijjarto also noted that he had always had friendly relations with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak who is responsible for energy policy. "Whether we like it or not, we must admit that without the supplies from Russia, the safe supply of Hungary when it comes to energy would not be possible," he said, adding that "without the Russian resources, it would be impossible to supply the country with gas, with oil and with the nuclear fuel."

The minister said that he had a meeting with the management of Russia’s Rosatom, where all aspects of the construction of the new Paks-2 nuclear power plant were discussed. "We should be able to connect the two new reactors to the grid by the beginning of the next decade, with which we will increase the share of nuclear [energy] to 70% when it comes to supplying our electricity demand," Szijjarto stressed.