NYTimes: Hungarian Leader Says Pipeline Project Is in Trouble

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary said Monday that a major pipeline project intended to reduce the European Union’s reliance on Russian natural gas was “in trouble” and that the Hungarian energy company MOL was pulling out.

The pipeline, called Nabucco, would carry gas from the Caspian region to the European Union through Hungary, bypassing Russia. But there have long been doubts that Nabucco can secure firm supply contracts in a region like the Caspian, where Russia wields influence.

After delivering a speech on economic policy hosted by European Policy Center, a research group in Brussels, Mr. Orban said in response to a question on Nabucco that it was “in trouble,” adding that “even the Hungarian company MOL is leaving the whole project.”

Christian Dolezal, a Nabucco spokesman, said there had been no indication from MOL or from its subsidiary, FGSZ, which is a shareholder in Nabucco, that MOL was pulling out. “As far as we know, MOL Group’s position and commitment toward the Nabucco project remains unchanged,” Mr. Dolezal said.  MORE