Hungary declares state of emergency on energy supply

International

13-07-2022, 18:36

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INA - source
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has convened a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss supply problems affecting the European energy market, Orban's press chief said in a statement, News.az reports.

The statement said the prime minister called the meeting due to rising energy prices as a result of the war in neighboring Ukraine and the prospect of European gas shortages in autumn and winter. Orban posted a photo of the meeting on Facebook with a caption saying "Energy emergency in Europe!"

Under a 15-year deal with Gazprom signed last year, Hungary receives 3.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year via Bulgaria and Serbia under its long-term deal with Russia, and a further 1 bcm via a pipeline from Austria.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Budapest was in talks to buy more gas before the heating season, on top of its existing long-term contract with Russia, which supplies 85% of the country's gas needs.

Source-News .az