Connecting the energy infrastructure between Hungary and Slovenia symbolises the hope of both peoples for the future, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday at the inauguration ceremony of the Cirkocve-Pince power transmission line in Cirkovce, Slovenia.

In the past, the peoples living in the territory of the former Yugoslavia and the Hungarians were separated from each other, the Hungarian premier pointed out. For this reason, the Hungarians have built up all their contacts, including gas, oil or electricity in an East-West context. This separation remained even after the break-up of Yugoslavia, and until now, Slovenia was Hungary’s only neighbour without any connection between the two countries’ gas, the oil, or the electricity systems. Mr Orban recalled that in 1999, the Hungarian government led by him had a power line constructed to the Hungary-Croatia border and had it connected to the Croatian system.

He also thanked the Slovenian governments involved in the construction of the transmission line and the Slovenian people who persevered and realised the importance of the north-south electricity connection of the systems. The task for the Hungarians is clear: to do everything to ensure that the gas and electricity systems between Slovenia and Hungary are also connected. PM Orban voiced his belief that

Central Europe, to which we all belong, has a bright future. We have peoples here who are extremely talented, able and willing to work hard, willing to take risks, love their country and their families, and that gives us the energy to succeed,

he said.

Although we speak different languages, our life instincts unite us, PM Orban underlined. If politicians understand this, „and obey these popular instincts well,” then Central Europe can be a winner rather than a loser in history, can overcome its disadvantage and can be transformed into the happiest, most prosperous and safest region in Europe.

Addressing the press conference following the ceremony, PM Orban said that Europe and Hungary face three risks: security, economic and energy. In uncertain times, good neighbourly relations are of great value. Thus there is great value in Hungary and Slovenia’s good relations, which must be appreciated.

Hungary also cooperates with Slovenia in air policing tasks within NATO, the premier noted. In addition, economic relations between the two countries are excellent, with Slovenia-Hungary trade up by 35 per cent and increasing investment between the two countries. A joint fund for cross-border development has also been established.

The two countries are also linked by the fact that they regard the minority communities living in their countries as an asset, Mr Orban said, adding that since the Fidesz-KDNP government has been in power, support for the Slovenian community living in Hungary has increased sixfold, and Slovenia also values the Hungarians living in the country.

In response to a journalist’s question, PM Orban said that the aim of the cooperation between Serbia, Austria and Hungary is to jointly protect the borders against migration. They welcome help from other countries, including Slovenia, to better protect Europe’s external borders and to take effective border controls as far south as possible.

Regarding the plans of a natural gas pipeline between Slovenia and Hungary, Mr Orban stressed that there is agreement that a gas connection between the two countries is also necessary. Hungary is considering a larger diameter pipeline, while Slovenia is thinking of a medium or smaller volume, the capacity of which could be increased later. This is no obstacle, a smaller start is also acceptable for Hungary, Mr Orban noted.

On energy issues, the premier said that Hungary has three options if it wants to further decrease its dependence from Russian energy sources: Romania, Croatia and Slovenia. Hungary is interested in all three directions, because it wants to eliminate dependency and increase the number of options as much as possible. He is preparing for pragmatic cooperation with his Slovenian counterpart, PM Orban pointed out. Later, in response to a question about stock exchange prices, he explained that although Hungary, unlike Slovenia, imports most of its energy from Russia, the development of the stock exchange price also determines the Hungarian price level through the contract with Russia.