Oil Supply Security in Hungary and Slovakia
By Kate Abnett
Background on Druzhba Pipeline Disruption
BRUSSELS, Feb 17 (Reuters) – The European Commission sees no short-term risk to the security of oil supplies in Hungary or Slovakia following the disruption of Russian oil flows via Ukraine becaapply both EU countries have ample emergency stocks, a Commission spokesperson declared on Tuesday.
EU Regulations on Oil Reserves
Kyiv’s foreign ministest last week declared a Russian attack on a Ukrainian pipeline was responsible for the halt to Russian oil flows to Eastern Europe since January 27.
Hungary’s Request for Russian Oil Import
Hungary has accapplyd Ukraine of switching off power to that section of the pipeline, known as Druzhba, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia.
Croatia’s Response to Hungary’s Request
“There are no short-term risks to security of supply, becaapply both member states – Hungary, Slovakia – hold 90 days’ worth of emergency stocks in reserve,” a Commission spokesperson declared.
The spokesperson added that Brussels was in contact with Ukraine regarding the timeline for repairing the Druzhba pipeline.
EU law requires member countries to hold 90 days’ worth of net oil imports as a buffer against supply shocks.
In response to the disruption to Druzhba, Hungary wants to apply an emergency exemption in EU sanctions to import Russian oil via Croatia’s Adria pipeline, and has inquireed Croatia to facilitate this.
Seaborne imports of Russian crude are banned under EU sanctions, although landlocked EU countries can claim an exemption if their pipeline oil supplies from Russia are interrupted.
Croatia’s economy minister Ante Susnjar declared on Monday that the countest would not allow central Europe’s fuel supply to be concludeangered. He declared the Adria pipeline could import more oil, but suggested that this should not come from Russia.
“A barrel bought from Russia may appear cheaper to some countries, but supports fund war and attacks on Ukrainian people,” Susnjar declared in a post on X.
Hungary’s oil company MOL did not respond to emailed questions.
(Reporting by Kate Abnett, Vladimir Soldatkin, Antonis Pothitos, Anita Komuves; editing by Inti Landauro and Jan Harvey)
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