Hungarian MP urges action on Nabucco

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Hungarian officials called on Parliament to lend its support for the construction of the Nabucco gas pipeline as Russia cuts the supply of gas to Ukraine.

Russian energy monopoly Gazprom cut the supply of natural gas to Ukraine Wednesday in the presence of international observers. As Ukraine transits 80 percent of all Russian gas bound for Europe, supplies were disrupted throughout the region.

Janos Koka, the head of the Hungarian Nabucco committee and Hungary's economic minister, said not moving on Nabucco construction gives Russia an advantage in the regional energy sector, the Hungarian news service MTI said.

"Every month of delay by the European Union prolongs our dependence on the Russian gas monopoly and seriously threatens the safe gas supply for Hungarian households and companies," he said.

Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said his country sat in a regional position to favor Nabucco and its rival, South Stream.

Nabucco would bring natural gas from Caspian suppliers to Europe through Turkey, moving outside Russian influence. South Stream would bring Russian gas to Italy. Hungary would host legs of both.