The Prime Minister will travel to Moscow for a one-day official visit on January 31, on the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among others, the topics on the meeting's agenda will include energy cooperation in relation to the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline that began on 7 December 2012 in Anapa, southern Russia. The pipeline will transport gas from Anapa via the Black Sea, Bulgaria and Serbia to Hungary, Slovenia and Italy.

State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó declared that it is Hungary’s fundamental interests to further develop cooperation with Russia, Hungary's second most important trading partner.

According to the State Secretary, the preparation for the construction of the Hungarian section of the pipeline is ongoing and the necessary steps have been taken by the Hungarian Government. These measures include giving high priority to the investment project, closing the financial advisory tender, preparing for a tender on technological feasibility and submitting an application for environmental permission.

He declared that significant advances will be achieved within the field of energy security over the next 2-3 years in view of the fact that another pipeline is also being built that will interconnect the Hungarian and Slovakian gas pipeline systems. This interconnector pipeline, although not as developed as the east-west connection, is one of the most important steps in the construction of a north-south energy transport infrastructure. He added that if gas storage facilities become national property, Hungary will be able to function as the region's energy transport centre.

Referring to the expiry of the long-term Russian-Hungarian gas transportation agreement in 2015, Péter Szijjártó stated that the issue would be discussed if raised during the negotiations, and that talks would begin as required.
Regarding the question of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant and possible Russian cooperation, he declared that the Government’s goal is that the Paks Nuclear Power Plant should provide a larger share of the Hungarian electricity supply. The Government considers nuclear power a clean and secure energy source and it intends to increase the reactor's current 43% share of the country's electricity usage. However, a very large investment is necessary to achieve this, which "generates great expectations", but since concrete tenders have not been launched and negotiations have not taken place, "all rumours are premature". He added that if the question is raised, the Hungarian party will of course put forward its standpoint.
Transport will be another important topic of the visit, since Russia plays a crucial role in determining the routes by which commodities from the Far Eastern and the Caucasus reach Europe. The State Secretary mentioned the possibility of increasing rail transfer capacity at Záhony, on Hungary's border with Ukraine, but that the transport time required for freight to cross the country by rail must be reduced to one day from the current four-five day average in order to increase competitiveness. Given the right conditions, Hungary could become a competitive route for freight transport from Russia.
Additionally, the discussions may also touch on industrial, agricultural and educational topics. The State Secretary also noted that a Hungarian Trade House is expected to open in Moscow later this year. However, it remains to be decided if it will be opened by the Hungarian state or by a large Hungarian corporation. In case of the latter, the Government will consider whether to either establish its own house or cooperate with the existing one.

On the day preceding his visit to Moscow, the Prime Minister travels to Brussels, where he will hold a lecture in the Bruegel Institute about possible scenarios for the eurozone and will meet with EU leaders. Acceding to Péter Szijjártó, the negotiations will concern current policy issues on the European Union agenda, such as the EU budget.

Finally, concerning the possible further foreign programs of the Prime Minister, he said that Viktor Orbán has been invited for an official visit to India and negotiation on details of a visit to China will occur at the end of March, after the new Chinese government has been formed. The Prime Minister will also visit Lebanon and Jordan, accompanied by a business delegation.

(Prime Minister's Office)