Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico inaugurated an important phase of the first Central-European north-south gas corridor, the Hungarian-Slovak gas interconnector, which connects the two countries’ gas networks.
The gas pipeline is a priority for both countries and also for the European Union. Thanks to the exemplary cooperation between the two nations, new gas sources will now be available for the region’s markets, as a result of which the new pipeline greatly contributes towards enhancing energy security in Central-Europe, the diversification of the route of gas supply and reducing the gas dependence of the region’s countries. The investment greatly strengthens Hungary’s regional gas-transit position and the utilisation of domestic gas storage units.
“From the point of view of Hungary's energy supply, the Hungarian-Slovak gas interconnector is of historic significance. Whatever happens to the east of us, gas will arrive in Hungary in any event," said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, referring to the fact that with the new gas pipelines, new gas sources have become accessible to Hungarian consumers. This event fits into the Hungarian Government’s policy chain for ensuring Hungary has the cheapest household and industrial energy in Europe. Thanks to the Hungarian Government's earlier re-purchase of gas storage facilities and a stake in oil and gas company MOL, the state has all the means to guarantee safe and predictable gas supplies to both households and businesses, whatever may happen in the world.
According to the Slovakian Prime Minister, the interconnector will increase energy security significantly. A test run of the interconnector will begin on 1 July this year, while the pipeline would operate fully from 1 January 2015. The interconnector is a 111km long pipeline – 92 kms of it between Vecsés and Balassagyarmat on Hungarian territory, 19 kms in Slovakia -- and can be switched to work in both directions.
At the ceremony, Prime Ministers Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico also signed an agreement on building 11 new road border crossings and 8 bridges to connect Hungary and Slovakia. By 2020, the number of such crossings will be doubled. Hungarian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó, announced that this is one of largest ever joint development project between the two countries.
(Prime Minister’s Office)
