Croatia, Hungary Mull Future Gas Deliveries From Krk

Tomislav Coric, Croatia's Minister of Environment and Energy, met on Tuesday in Budapest with Hungary's Foreign and Trade Minister, Peter Szijjarto, to discuss joint energy projects and gas supplies.

One topic was the construction of a compressor station that will enable the bi-directional gas flow at the gas interconnection of Croatia and Hungary. The two states signed a memorandum of understanding on bi-directional gas transmission in June 2017.

Another key topic was also Croatia's liquefied natural gas LNG terminal on Krk, on which, according to plans, work will start in the summer of 2020.

"On both sides, there is a desire for further promotion and deepening of cooperation in the area of energy security and diversification of supply energy routes," Coric said.

Szijjarto said the Croatian LNG terminal was an important opportunity for Hungary to diversify its energy supply after 2020, when its long-term gas supply contract with Russia expires.

The project is of strategic interest also for the European Union, which has supported it with 101.4 million euros. The Krk terminal is seen as an important component of a long-term plan to reduce Europe's energy dependence on Moscow.

Despite objections from eco-activists, local residents and opposition politicians, Croatia's parliament passed the bill on construction of the LNG terminal on Krk in June.

The project will proceed in two phases: construction of a floating terminal in the first phase and construction of a terrestrial terminal in the second.

"There are two alternative [gas] choices - one of which is from the Black Sea, and the other is the LNG terminal on the island of Krk," Szijjarto said.

Relations between Hungary and Croatia have long been dogged by...