Orban told Bulgarian journalists after talks with Boyko Borisov, leader of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party which won the early parliamentary election in October, that he was certain that Borisov would be able to stabilise the political situation in Bulgaria. He added that it was important to Hungary and for the European Union that a stable government would be set up in Sofia.

Commenting on the issue of gas supplies, he said Borisov had always been helpful in preventing the stoppage of gas supplies from Bulgaria to Hungary.

Orban added that some 7 billion of the approximately 9 billion cubic metres of gas that Hungary receives arrives through Bulgaria, so the country played a key role in Hungary's security.

He also said that an agreement had been made with the US to suspend the sanctions against Gazprombank for three months, so the danger has been eliminated there.

Additionally, an agreement has been made with Russia about an alternative method of making payments, he added.

Commenting on sanctions against Russia, Orban said talks were ongoing in the EU, and a decision would have to be made by the end of January.

In response to a question whether the community should wait until the inauguration of the new US president concerning the issue of sanctions against Moscow, Orban said the 27 member states had to make a decision together and proposed "strategic patience" in the matter.

Orban: Bulgaria key to Hungary's secure energy supply

Bulgaria is of key importance to Hungary's safe energy supply, especially since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, as this is the only secure way for the necessary energy resources to arrive to Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in Sofia.

Following talks with Bulgarian president Rumen Radev, Orban said 5.6bn cubic metres of natural gas was transported to Hungary via Bulgaria last year and 7bn cubic metres this year compared to Hungary's total consumption of 9bn cubic metres.

Procurement of the fuel necessary for the Paks nuclear power plant would also currently be impossible without Bulgaria, he added.

Orban congratulated Radev on the achievements that led to Bulgaria's full membership of the Schengen zone, and Radev gave thanks for the work of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union that made Bulgaria's accession possible.

Radev promised that Sofia would remain a reliable partner for Hungary in energy transit, securing diversification and the safety of supplies.

Orban said Bulgaria's Schengen membership will not only mean major changes in free movement, but also Bulgaria's "liberation" from its secondary status. From now on, "they will enjoy the benefits of EU membership on an equal footing with any other country," he said.

He added that the Schengen membership had been achieved despite a serious resistance within the European Union as some member states blocked the accession of Bulgaria and Romania for a long time, which has now been moved forward finally, after 13 years.

The sides also discussed that Bulgaria would join the green energy corridor initiative, of which Hungary was a founder, Orban said.

Both Orban and Radev acknowledged the results achieved in bilateral cooperation.

He also highlighted plans to boost cooperation in defence industry, which both sides were interested in.

Orban said the government will strive to encourage as many Hungarian investors as possible to enter the Bulgarian market and will welcome Bulgarian investors in Hungary. "We would also like to participate in strategic developments. (...) We would be happy if Hungarian companies were received by Bulgaria as strategic partners in the energy sector," he said.

Radev indicated that important memoranda of understanding would be signed soon on infrastructural connections, transport, the use of Bulgarian ports, as well as defence industry, security policy and tourism.

Radev also emphasised that their shared position was that today Europe's priority is to restore peace, ensuring a leading role for diplomacy. Without peace, it is impossible to talk about security and sustainable development, he added.

Viktor Orban's programme in Sofia also included a meeting with former prime minister Boyko Borissov.
 

Source: 
MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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