Szijjártó responds to Šušnjar: We are asking for respect for the rules, not for a favor

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that Hungary is not asking Croatia for a favor, but for respect for binding EU rules in the event of difficulties in oil transit.

He stressed that the problem arose due to the blockade of Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline.

“Let's be clear. Hungary is not asking Croatia for a favor regarding the Adria oil pipeline (JANAF), but for respect for binding EU rules in the event that transit via the pipeline becomes difficult or impossible,” said Péter Szijjártó.

He added that, according to him, Ukraine is blocking oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons.

The Hungarian foreign minister is not giving up on the claim that JANAF is a "complementary route"

“In such a case, European Union law allows Hungary and Slovakia to purchase Russian oil by sea,” he said.

Szijjártó reiterated the claim that JANAF does not have sufficient capacity to supply Slovakia and Hungary, although measurements showed otherwise.

“Now the Adria pipeline can be used for what it was built for - as a supplementary route when eastern deliveries are hampered, even if it cannot fully supply Hungary and Slovakia on its own,” the Hungarian minister concluded.

EC: Exception to ban on Russian oil imports allowed

“Hungary has informed the European Commission (EC) that it intends to invoke the possibility of a temporary exemption from sanctions on the import of Russian crude oil via the Adriatic pipeline due to the interruption of the flow via the Druzhba pipeline, and the EC is ready to convene a meeting of the Oil Coordination Group to discuss a possible supply disruption and possible alternatives for fuel supplies,” a spokeswoman for the EU executive body announced on Tuesday.

“Yesterday, Hungary informed us of its desire to invoke a temporary exemption for the import of Russian crude oil by sea via Croatia due to this interruption of the flow of oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which was caused by Russian drone attacks,” said Commission spokesperson Anna Kaisa Itkonen.

“For us, the security of energy supply is an absolute priority and we are in contact with all relevant parties and are ready to call a meeting of the Oil Coordination Group to discuss a possible disruption in supply and any possible alternative for fuel supply,” added Itkonen.

The spokeswoman for the EC in charge of the issue of sanctions, Siobhan McGarry, reminded of the sanctions regulation, which allows an exception to the ban on the import of crude oil and oil derivatives, in the event that the supply of crude oil through a pipeline from Russia to a landlocked member state is interrupted for reasons beyond the control of that member state.

“The exemption is temporary until the transportation of oil by land continues or until a different decision of the Council. As long as the exemption is in place, the member state must report to the Commission every three months how much oil it imports by sea from Russia. That is the legal basis,” McGarry said.

Spokeswoman Itkonon said there was no short-term risk to the security of oil supply for Hungary and Slovakia due to the disruption of the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine, as both countries have 90 days of reserves, which is an obligation under EU regulations.

Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar said on Monday that Croatia was ready to help Hungary and Slovakia with their oil supplies. “Janaf's capacities are sufficient and there are no technical excuses for importing Russian oil,” Šušnjar said.

“We are ready to help resolve the acute disruption, in accordance with EU legislation and OFAC regulations (an agency within the US Treasury Department that manages and enforces economic and trade sanctions, ed.). No one should be left without fuel,” Šušnjar said.

Source: HRT