The Hungarian Government declares every public administration authority case priority that is in relation to the implementation of projects linked to the construction and regular operation of the Southern Stream natural gas pipeline’s 229 km Hungarian section.

The government decree to be published soon specifies the project as having outstanding significance in the national economy and determines the general and specialised authorities to proceed in the first and second instances. Thus preparatory work may become simpler and can be accomplished within a shorter timeframe.

Hungary’s options to purchase gas are physically limited, therefore the Government analyses every infrastructure development concepts in effect and supports them if justified. The objective set in the National Energy Strategy is to increase the number of sources and routes of purchase. The Southern Stream, under planning, may also be an important means of diversification. The pipeline may deliver gas from Russia on an alternative route towards the Central European Region, thus increasing the safety of energy supply to the area.

In order to increase the gas purchase opportunities, in May 2010 the Nabucco pipeline, and in November 2011 the Hungarian-Slovakian interconnector, part of the North-South Energy Corridor were officially assigned high priority.

(Ministry of National Development - Communication Department)