Trans Austria Gas pipeline could add to Hungary’s energy security, minister says
The Trans Austrian Gas pipeline could contribute to strengthening the security of Hungary's energy supply, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said after meeting the top officials of the gas pipeline's operator, Trans Austria Gasleitung, in Vienna on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the ministry, Peter Szijjarto told public media that the pipeline could be a “good security reserve”, giving Hungary access to LNG arriving at ports in Italy.
He said that Hungary would not give up its sovereign energy policy.
He acknowledged the need to diversify energy supply, but said that did not mean giving up existing, reliable sources of energy.
Szijjarto noted that Hungary’s gas supply was secured with a large share of it arriving via the TurkStream pipeline.
“But it gives extra security to have alternative supply routes coming into play, and the pipeline delivering gas from Italy via Austria to central Euope could be one,” the foreign minister said.