Hungary hails Türkiye as a vital and reliable energy transit partner

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has emphasized Türkiye's crucial role as a dependable energy corridor for Europe during bilateral talks in Istanbul on Monday. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Szijjarto lauded the strategic partnership, stating that Türkiye is a "reliable and fair transit partner" key to European energy security.

Strengthening strategic ties across multiple sectors

The meetings, held under the newly established Türkiye-Hungary Joint Consultation Mechanism, brought together foreign and defense ministers, national security advisers, and defense industry leaders. The high-level dialogue resulted in several cooperation agreements signed between the two nations, spanning aviation, security, technology, culture, and education, signaling a deepening of bilateral relations beyond energy.

Shared stances on Ukraine and energy security

Minister Szijjarto highlighted a convergence of views on major geopolitical issues, noting that both Budapest and Ankara advocate for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine. "We condemn attacks against energy supply routes," he stated, referencing strikes on Russian oil pipelines and commercial vessels in the Black Sea. This shared position underscores a mutual interest in stabilizing energy flows and regional security.

The pivotal role of the TurkStream pipeline

A central pillar of the partnership is energy transit. Szijjarto confirmed that "around 8 billion cubic meters of gas will reach Hungary through the TurkStream pipeline this year." This volume solidifies Türkiye's position as a critical energy hub for Central Europe and reflects Hungary's strategic reliance on diversified gas supplies routed through Turkish infrastructure, enhancing its energy sovereignty.