Putin sees TurkStream possible extension to Hungary in future

MOSCOW, Sep 18 (PRIME) -- One of the overland extensions of the TurkStream gas pipeline may pass through Hungary in the future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday after talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

“I do not rule out that after completion of construction of the TurkStream pipeline one of the overland extensions of this pipeline may pass through Hungary,” he said.

Orban said he asked Putin to seriously consider the pipeline’s extension to Hungary and further.

“It is not a secret that Hungary wants, when a pipeline is built from the south in direction to Hungary, we would like it further pass through Hungary. This will be a great opportunity for Hungary, and I asked the president (Putin) to seriously think over this possibility,” Orban said.

The TurkStream pipeline was designed to consist of two branches with a length of over 900 kilometers and a capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters each. One of them is to carry Russian gas to Turkey, while the other is to transit gas to the European countries through Turkey.

Putin said the energy sector is an important sphere in cooperation of Russia and Hungary. “Russia ensures over 75% of Hungary’s oil consumption and 60% of gas (consumption). Transit of Russian gas to Europe is made through Hungary. Underground storage facilities located on the territory of Hungary allow to ensure reliable and uninterrupted gas supplies to European consumers even in the moments of peak demand,” Putin said.

Orban also said that Russia and Hungary agreed on parameters of Russian gas supplies in 2020, when the current gas contract expires.

Orban added that he asked Putin to consider expanding financial cooperation between the countries.

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