UPDATE: Gazprom, Hungary sign gas supply contract for 15 years

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BUDAPEST/KIEV, Sep 27 (PRIME) -- Russian gas giant Gazprom and Hungary signed a contract on gas supplies until 2036, according to information obtained by PRIME on Monday.

The agreement will come into force on Friday, and can be adjusted in 10 years.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said earlier in September that the deal would envisage supplies of 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually in the next 15 years.

CEO the national pipeline operator Sergei Makogon said on his Facebook page that Kiev expects a significant fall and even does not rule out a full shutdown of gas transit to Hungary via Ukraine.

“In spite of a contract valid until 2024, we expect a significant fall or a full shutdown of transit to Hungary via Ukraine. That is why technical completion of the Nord Stream-2 (gas pipeline) poses substantial risks for the existing transit via Ukraine and prolongation of the contract beyond 2024,” he said.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry earlier said he was disappointed with Hungary’s decision to sign a new long-term contract with Gazprom.

Szijjarto called Ukraine’s reaction to the deal “an attempt to meddle in Hungary’s internal issues and provision of heating for the winter period” and denied any political ground of the agreement with Gazprom.

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