On January 24, Peter Szijjártó, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said that the increased natural gas production in Azerbaijan could play an important role in the energy security of Hungary and central Europe.

"The severe energy crisis has made Azerbaijan more important for Europe," Szijjártó told a press conference. "It has become clear to everyone that it's no longer enough to just talk about so-called diversification, but it is something we are forced to do. If Europe cannot acquire new energy sources, if it cannot build new energy supply routes, then the energy supply will not be secure," Szijjártó added.

"It is in Hungary’s interest to incorporate Azeri energy sources into its energy mix as soon as possible, the minister said, adding that this required large-scale infrastructure developments in south-eastern and central Europe, too. New interconnectors must be built, and delivery capacities have to be increased. This requires EU support and resources," he added.

Szijjártó said Hungary has turned to the European Commission together with Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia, asking Brussels to prioritize the matter and support the developments needed to guarantee the region's energy security. He welcomed Azerbaijan's aim to double gas supplies to Europe by 2027. He also underscored the importance of creating the contractual and physical conditions needed to deliver the gas from the southern corridor to the central part of Europe.

He said that whereas the Hungarian opposition had criticized the government's initial talks on developing cooperation with Azerbaijan over a decade ago, leading European politicians now want to have their photo taken with the Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev.

"The world has changed a lot over the past decade, but we still hold the same position as in the past," Szijjártó concluded.

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