In the aftermath of European consultations on a possible new set of sanctions targeting Moscow, Hungary vigorously opposed any measure by the European Union (EU) that would affect nuclear cooperation with Moscow.
“Unfortunately, some entities within the EU (…) keep trying to put obstacles in the way of nuclear investments”, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjarto said at the podium of the Annual General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna today. For him, it is “attacks on sovereignty” of this landlocked central European country, which benefits from derogations from the European oil embargo and does not want to hear about other energy sanctions, even indirect ones (construction, engineering or IT services). This is “a red line”he insisted, adding that such measures “would violate European rules”.
Hungary is due to start work on two new nuclear reactors shortly, in collaboration with the Russian conglomerate Rosatom. They will complete the four current units, supplied with fuel from Russia and which provide nearly half of the electricity production.
The breaking of nuclear cooperation with Russia is demanded by the countries in favor of strong sanctions – the Baltic States, Poland and Ireland -, but it does not achieve consensus within the Twenty-Seven, according to a European diplomatic source. Bulgaria, already deprived of Russian gas, is also worried: its only nuclear power plant, partly supplied with Russian fuel, produces around a third of the country’s electricity.