Hungary and Bulgaria have a close alliance regarding the security of natural gas supply and the use of nuclear energy, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Budapest, adding that this has greatly contributed to energy security on long term of Hungary, reports MTI.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Szijjarto said that he held discussions with the Bulgarian Minister of Energy, Vladimir Malinov, who is accompanying President Rumen Radev on his official visit to Budapest.

Most of the natural gas imported by Hungary is delivered through Bulgaria, through the TurkStream gas pipeline, which leaves Russia and arrives in Hungary via Turkey, Bulgaria and Serbia, Szijjarto stated, according to Agerpres.

Last year, Hungary received 5.6 billion cubic meters of gas through this delivery route, which represents approximately 65% of the country’s annual consumption, the minister said.

“Therefore, we clearly have an interest in the TurkStream gas pipeline remaining a safe and reliable route for gas supplies to Hungary,” he said.

“Bulgaria has once again guaranteed that we can continue to rely on them and their correct approach in the coming period and that the TurkStream gas pipeline will continue to operate as one of the safest and most predictable routes in Europe,” the Hungarian official added.

Hungary has received more than 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas through TurkStream so far this year, and this volume is expected to double by the end of the year, Szijjarto said.

The Hungarian minister emphasized the cooperation between Hungary and Bulgaria also in the field of nuclear energy, noting that nuclear energy represents a significant part of the energy supply of both countries.

“Bulgaria also has a nuclear power plant and plans to increase the long-term share of nuclear energy in its energy mix, as do we,” he said, stressing that “the expansion of the Paks plant is progressing well.”

The head of diplomacy from Budapest emphasized that Hungary and Bulgaria reject any negative discrimination against nuclear energy.

Hungary considers that any attempt to undermine its nuclear cooperation or initiatives aimed at restricting the use of nuclear energy represents an attack on its energy security, the minister emphasized.