The situation in relations with Hungary in the European Union (EU) is close to a breakdown, although constant attempts are being made to find common ground, said former European Commissioner for Energy and current representative of Latvia in the support group for Ukraine's EU accession Andris Piebalgs in an interview with LETA.
He denied that anything significant could happen before the parliamentary elections in Hungary, scheduled for April 12. However, after the elections, the situation will escalate, and if the Hungarian government's position does not change, procedures to revoke voting rights may be initiated.
"No one wants to start the process of revoking voting rights, as it contradicts solidarity and the very essence of the EU. However, facts are facts, politics is politics, and decisions will have to be made," said Piebalgs.
In response to a question about whether Hungary's position, which is trying to block sanctions against Russia and aid to Ukraine, is solely related to its dependence on Russian energy resources, Piebalgs noted that Hungary has created this dependence itself and has not yet attempted to reduce it.
"The construction of a nuclear reactor in collaboration with Rosatom, as well as the expansion of gas supply contracts, is Hungary's own decision. However, EU laws will force Hungarians to abandon dependence on gas and oil. Therefore, energy issues should be set aside and the political dimension should be considered. Hungary's political position is one of sharply blocking many joint EU decisions. Of course, after some time, they withdraw their veto, thereby avoiding the revocation of voting rights," Piebalgs said, reminding that the EU has adopted laws that provide for the cessation of any purchases of Russian gas from November 1, 2027, and no exceptions are allowed.
As previously reported, after the rise in energy prices caused by hostilities in the Middle East, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on the EU to suspend sanctions against Russia's energy sector.
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