The above information was announced by Mr. Janos Boka, Minister of European Union (EU) Affairs. Facebook On 10th November.
According to Minister Bocca, Hungary believes that Bulgaria’s actions violate EU rules on the internal market as well as the Customs Union and the Common Trade Policy, especially since Bulgaria imposed the tax before Hungary. Was not consulted.
“Today I sent a letter to the Electoral Commission requesting an immediate investigation of Bulgaria” – Minister Boka said, and confirmed that he had asked the Electoral Commission to stop imposing taxes on Bulgaria until the investigation is completed.
Minister Bocca stressed that if the EC does not take action, Hungary will bring the case to the EU Court of Justice before the end of this year.
Mr. János Boka, Minister of European Union (EU) Affairs. Photo: Hungarian Conservatives
Bulgaria angered Hungary and Serbia last month when it imposed a transit tax of about USD 11/MWh on Russian gas. Hungary is a country that receives most of its gas from Russia through the TurkStream pipeline.
The Bulgarian government believes that the above tax will not increase gas prices for Hungary and Serbia, but will reduce the profits of Russian energy group Gazprom.
However, Hungary confirmed that Bulgaria’s actions could “seriously jeopardize” the energy security of Hungary in particular and the region in general.
While Western European countries sought to “boycott” Russian gas in response to the Russia–Ukraine conflict, Hungary lobbied hard to obtain favorable gas contracts. reuters,
Within the framework of the long-term agreement signed in 2021, Hungary will import at least 4.5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas every year, mainly through Bulgaria and Serbia.
Russia’s energy sector has been heavily punished by the West since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began.
Photo: Reuters
