Hungary, Slovakia join forces on new oil pipeline to boost energy security

Hungary and Slovakia have plans to construct a 127-kilometre pipeline to transport oil products, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said.

Speaking at a European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Szijjártó said the move was prompted by the need to safeguard energy security amid what he described as a de facto oil blockade imposed by Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The pipeline will connect the refineries in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Szazhalombatta, Hungary.

“The length of this pipeline will be 127 kilometres. It will be able to transport 1.5 million tons of oil products per year, which will be important for supplying Hungary with energy and ensuring its energy security amid military conflicts and misguided policies from Brussels,” Szijjártó said. He added that the pipeline is expected to become operational by early 2027.

Szijjártó also highlighted pressures on Hungary and Slovakia to rely on the Adriatic Pipeline instead of the Druzhba pipeline from Russia. “The Adriatic route can only meet about one-seventh of our combined demand. The Croatian pipeline has a capacity of 2.2 million tons per year, while Budapest and Bratislava need 14–15 million tons,” he explained.

“Regardless of disputes over capacity, I want to stress that we Hungarians do not want to receive oil through only one pipeline. For Hungary, it is prudent to receive oil from at least two sources: the Druzhba pipeline from Russia and the Adriatic pipeline from Croatia. That is what ensures security,” Szijjártó added.

By Vafa Guliyeva