Hungary has reached a new agreement to import natural gas from Azerbaijan, securing 800 million cubic metres over the next two years, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced. The deal strengthens Budapest’s efforts to diversify energy supplies even as it challenges the European Union’s plan to phase out Russian gas imports.
The agreement follows talks between Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR and Hungary’s MVM Group, during which the two sides discussed long-term cooperation. SOCAR and MVM ONEnergy have signed a natural gas supply contract set to take effect on January 1, 2026, reinforcing what both sides describe as a strategic energy partnership.
Despite the move toward Azerbaijani gas, Hungary remains firmly opposed to the EU’s decision to end imports of Russian oil and gas. The government has pledged to challenge the policy at the Court of Justice of the European Union, arguing that a full halt to Russian energy supplies is not feasible for the country.
Note By Alessandro Bazzoni