Hungary needs Nabucco, envoy says

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Hungary needs to diversify its energy sector by expanding its infrastructure to alternative gas fields via the planned Nabucco project, officials said Friday.

"Budapest's position on Nabucco is clear," said Hungarian envoy to the project Mihaly Bayer. "We believe that Hungary needs to diversify its gas sources and transport routes for import."

Bayer in an interview with the Trend News agency said the planned 2,051-mile artery was always a top priority for Hungary as it ensures not only alternative gas supplies but alternative transit routes.

The European Union in 2008 passed a measure that moves its energy sector away from a system dependent on Russian natural resources. A conflict between Ukraine and Russia over gas arrears that left Europe without a portion of its gas resources earlier this month put renewed focus on that effort.

"We have concrete projects like Nabucco, which is a priority project for the (European Union). And we are working actively on its implementation. I think that the current situation not only pushes formal efforts forward, but also accelerates them," Bayer said.

Nabucco construction is slated for 2010. Its route would travel through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary to bring 1.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas from Turkey to Europe each year.

Hungary hosts a summit with project supporters Jan. 26 and 27.