Hungary independently solves problem of Russian oil supply resumption - FM

ST. PETERSBURG. Oct 10 (Interfax) - Hungary has independently solved the problem of Russian oil supply resumption to the fullest, without any support provided by the European Union, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto told reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum.

Oil supply has resumed, the contract has been amended, and oil is now delivered to the border of Belarus and Ukraine, he said.

The European Commission has given no assistance to Hungary, Szijjarto said. It is completely wrong and inadmissible for an EU candidate, Ukraine, to play games with the reliable energy supply to two EU member states, Hungary and Slovakia, he said.

It is a task of the European Commission to assist in the provision of safe energy supply, Szijjarto said. Ukraine took the unilateral step without issuing a notice or providing information to Hungary, and cut Hungarian oil imports by a third, he said, adding that Budapest had to adjust its contract with Russian suppliers.

Hungary and Slovakia stopped receiving pipeline oil from the Russian oil company Lukoil shipped via the Druzhba pipeline in the middle of July due to a transit ban imposed by Ukraine. Kiev tightened sanctions on Lukoil, effectively banning oil transport to Central Europe across Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline. Lukoil is a major supplier to Hungary, where it accounts for around one third of crude imports, and to Slovakia with 40%-45%.

In September, the Hungarian MOL Group signed contracts with oil suppliers and pipeline operators to ensure continuous oil transportation by the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia via Belarus and Ukraine. The oil delivered to the border of Belarus and Ukraine has been designated property of MOL Group since September 9.

The updated contracts fully comply with all restrictions, including those imposed by the European Union and Ukraine.