(VOVworld) – Hungary will not withdraw from Russia’s controversial Southern Stream gas pipeline project, the key to securing energy supplies for Hungary.

The Southern Stream pipelines is constructed to transport Russian natural gas to Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, and Italy.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told reporters on Tuesday after talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic that Hungary will not be dependent on Ukraine for its gas supplies. He said that while Hungary supported Ukraine, Hungary is responsible for its own citizens and energy supply.
The 40-billion-USD Southern Stream project is being built to transport Russian natural gas to central Europe where one third of the gas supply comes from Russia. Under the project, gas pipelines will be constructed to transport gas under the Black Sea from Russia to Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, and Italy. The Southern Stream pipeline will reduce Russia’s reliance on Ukraine as a transit country. Disputes with Kiev in 2006 and 2009 led to interruptions of gas shipments to Europe. Austria and Bulgaria have confirmed they will join the project.