In a Facebook post, Szijjarto attributed the increase in natural gas prices to “artificial supply reductions” resulting from political decisions and sanctions.
BUDAPEST, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) — Natural gas prices in Europe have increased by 20 percent since Ukraine stopped shipping Russian natural gas through its territory, Hungary’s foreign minister said on Tuesday. of Commerce Peter Szijjarto.
Ukraine cut off the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe on January 1, following the expiration of a five-year transport agreement.
In a Facebook post, Szijjarto attributed the increase in natural gas prices to “artificial supply reductions” resulting from political decisions and sanctions.
-The competitiveness of the European Union (EU) has suffered greatly, Szijjarto said, adding that higher natural gas prices than those paid by global competitors were to blame.
Hungary, which imports natural gas through multiple routes, has managed to maintain a secure energy supply. Mr. Szijjarto highlighted the strategic importance of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. Without this pipeline, he explained, Hungary “would find itself in an extremely difficult position, because it is a landlocked country.”■
