Hungary interested in integrating Turkmen gas into Europe's energy balance - FM

ASHGABAT. June 9 (Interfax) - Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has expressed his country's interest in creating infrastructure to supply gas from Turkmenistan.

"Turkmen natural gas could play a significant role in it, but Europe lacks adequate transport routes. We are interested in creating infrastructure in such way that Turkmen gas could be integrated into Europe and Hungary's energy balance," the minister said on a social network.

Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communications and Relations Zoltan Kovacs, for his part, wrote on Twitter that Szijjarto also spoke about the need to attract new energy sources in order to overcome Europe's energy crisis caused by the events in Ukraine and subsequent sanctions.

Kovacs pointed out that several important bilateral agreements, including on protecting investments and cooperation in higher education and diplomatic training, will be signed during Szijjarto's visit to Turkmenistan.

Szijjarto is paying an official visit to Turkmenistan on June 8-9. A package of bilateral documents is expected to be signed following talks with Turkmen president Serdar Berdimuhamedow, including in an extended format involving the two countries' governmental delegations.

Energy, transport, pharmaceuticals, the textile industry, investments, agriculture, and water management have been named as promising areas of bilateral cooperation.