Concerns that the Russian-backed South Stream natural gas pipeline will bypass Hungary are unfounded, business daily Napi Gazdasag reports Friday citing a the Devlopment Ministry.

The ministry responded to a Croatian report earlier in the week about Russian energy major OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) negotiating an alternate route for the pipeline, one that doesn't pass through Hungary .

It has been extensively reported that administrative issues in Hungary are perceived as a potential threat to the implementation of the investment, meant to deliver Russian natural gas to central Europe . Gazprom and the Hungarian government both dismissed the concerns.

Gazprom said after the publication of the Croatian report that it is indeed in talks with Croatian peer Plinacro d.o.o. on participation in South Stream. It didn't say how such an agreement would affect Hungary 's role in the venture.

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