Hungarian FM Szijjarto, Gazprom CEO Miller discuss Russian gas supplies to Hungary

MOSCOW. Aug 30 (Interfax) - Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has had talks with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, Szijjarto said on Facebook, which is owned by Meta Platforms Inc. that is designated extremist an extremist organization and banned in Russia.

The meeting took place in St. Petersburg. During the meeting, the parties discussed supplies of Russian gas to Hungary.

Szijjarto said on Facebook that at present, Hungary's energy security cannot be guaranteed without Russian gas. It takes courage to say such things in Europe now, but Hungary is pleased with its energy cooperation with Russia, one of the elements of the country's security, he said.

The new gas year, as well as the heating season, begins within a month, on October 1, he said. This is why the Hungarian authorities' duty is clear, it is to ensure that their citizens' homes are heated, Szijjarto said.

Szijjarto said later following the talks which lasted around three hours that Hungary has no plans to abandon Russian gas. Hungary received 5.6 billion cubic meters of gas via the TurkStream pipeline last year and 4.8 billion cubic meters already this year, he said. Gazprom's supplies are stable and are continuing in accordance with a long-term contract, he said. The company is seeking to continue cooperation with Hungary, and Budapest also does not wish to renounce this mutually beneficial agreement, Szijjarto said.

Gazprom's long-term contract with the Hungarian side was signed for 15 years in 2021, he said.

Gazprom, in turn, said in a brief statement that "the parties discussed the progress of and prospects for cooperation in the gas sector. In particular, the export of Russian gas to Hungary was discussed."

Hungary receives natural gas from Russia via the TurkStream pipeline as part of a long-term contract. In addition, a supplemental agreement on extra amounts of gas has been in effect since the fall of 2023.