Hungary continues work on South Stream

Hungary continues work on South Stream

BELGRADE -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that his country will continue works to build the South Stream natural gas pipeline.

Orban, who is visiting Belgrade, noted that "if someone wants to stop the project, they must propose an alternative."

Addressing a joint press conference with Serbian Prime Minister Vučić, he suggested that the two countries should connect their energy distribution networks, stating that Hungary was ready for such a project.

"Hungary will build South Stream as this improves our energy supply security and we will not allow ourselves to be in a situation where Hungary depends on Ukraine," said Orban.

Pointing out that his country shows solidarity with Ukraine, the prime minister also noted that it has a responsibility towards its own citizens. Orban reiterated that those who do not want South Stream to be built "must say how we will be getting energy."

Aleksandar Vučić said that he would discuss the pipeline with Russia's president and prime minister, and that Serbia would, when it comes to this project, "take into account its own interests."

"Our working groups are working to prepare contracts and we will try to, and it was never the case before, harmonize as many things as possible with European rules," Vučić said, pointing out that at the same time "the interests of Serbia will always be taken into account."

The EU previously warned that Gazprom's bilateral agreements with several countries including Serbia do not comply with the EU regulations and need to be renegotiated.