The need
to further connect Hungary’s electricity grids to the networks of neighbouring
countries and ways of lowering the costs of the energy transition in Europe was
expected to be one of the main topics during European Vice-President for Energy
Union
Maroš Šefčovičtrip to Hungary, which is part of his second Energy Union Tour, the European
Commission said on June 19.
Šefčovič
is expected to meet with Hungary’s Prime Minister
Viktor Orbán, Foreign and
Trade Minister
Péter
Szijjártó and Energy Minister
András Aradszky to discuss the Clean Energy for
All Europeans package published last November and in particular on the Energy
Union’s governance and national energy and climate plans.
Šefčovič
is expected to witness the signature by Hungary and Croatia of a memorandum of
understanding on building infrastructure to create bi-directional natural gas
flow between the two countries. Ukraine is also reportedly interested to
participate in the formation of the "gas corridor”.
Šefčovič
is expected to meet with energy stakeholders to discuss Hungary’s role in the
European energy transition and the benefits that a fully functioning EU
internal energy market can bring to Hungarian citizens and businesses. During
his visit Vice-President will also meet with NGOs to discuss Energy Union
policy and projects.
"Hungary
is doing really well reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, and it reached its
2020 target for renewable energy already in 2015,” Šefčovič said ahead of his
visit.
"It is
the right of every Member State to determine its own energy mix. At the same
time cooperation at a regional level can substantially contribute to ensuring
secure energy supplies and energy prices that are affordable for households and
for businesses. Boosting more efficient energy use, creating competitive
markets and innovation are key in this respect,” he added.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/eu-commission-witnesses-hungary-croatia-mou-gas-corridor/