Hungarian PM for Energy Talks in Moscow

Hungary's Prime Minister is to travel to Moscow for talks with Russian leaders on subjects including the South Stream gas pipeline.

Viktor Orbán will make the trip within weeks, Budapest daily Népszabadság reported. It said the PM will discuss energy issues in the Russian capital.

Péter Szijjártó, state secretary in charge of foreign political and economic affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office,  told radio news his government will provide information on the schedule of high-level talks between Hungary and Russia at the appropriate time.

In theory, Orbán should meet his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, but he might also meet President Vladimir Putin. Hungarian sources say preparations for the trip have already begun. Szijjártó was in Moscow in December, where he met Alexei Miller, the chief of Russia's gas giant, Gazprom. 

The most important subject could be the construction of the Hungarian part of the South Stream natural gas pipeline, classified by the Hungarian cabinet in October as a priority investment. Another obvious topic will be the extension of the Russian-Hungarian gas supply contract that will expire in 2015.

Szijjártó told agency MTI that the Népszabadság report on Hungarian-Russian relations was superficial, and that he had also met Russian dignitaries in charge of foreign and agricultural policy during his visit.

See earlier story: South Stream Starts Construction