Orban Calls Turkish Stream the 'Lifeline' of Hungary's Economy at Serbian Border

On Monday, March 6, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made a significant visit to the Serbian-Hungarian border, where he inspected a gas pipeline that he claimed had become a potential target for sabotage. This information was shared on his Facebook page, as reported by 'European Truth'. Alongside Orban was Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who joined him on this important mission.

During the visit, Orban remarked that instead of celebrating the traditional 'Water Monday,' a customary festivity in Hungary and Ukraine, he and his team were heading to the border to check the gas pipeline. 'We are not going where we should be: we should be splashing water, but instead, we are going to the Serbian-Hungarian border to inspect the entry point of the gas pipeline,' he stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Orban underscored the necessity of the visit, noting that on Sunday, March 5, Hungarian authorities had to 'order military protection' for the section of the gas pipeline within Hungary. The Prime Minister mentioned that 'soldiers are just heading out' for patrol duties, prompting their inspection of the security measures in place.

According to Telex, Orban and Szijjarto also conducted a live broadcast from the border. During this broadcast, the Hungarian Prime Minister discussed the situation in Ukraine, stating, 'When the Ukrainians blocked the supply of Russian gas through Ukraine, we were able to put this pipeline into operation and increase its capacity.' He emphasized that despite the 'Ukrainian gas blockade,' Hungary still has the capability to receive gas and energy through this pipeline.

Orban stressed the critical importance of the gas pipeline for the Hungarian economy, declaring, 'This is why this pipeline is so important; it is the lifeline – if it is cut, the Hungarian economy will stop.' These words highlight the seriousness with which the Hungarian authorities regard the security of their energy infrastructure.

It is noteworthy that Hungary has previously increased security measures for its energy infrastructure, attributed to a supposed 'Ukrainian threat.' In response to these developments, Serbia has also deployed its armed forces to protect the infrastructure that supplies gas to Hungary.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hinted at a possible Ukrainian involvement in the thwarted sabotage in Serbia; however, the official Kyiv firmly rejected these accusations. The Ukrainian government believes that there may be a Russian hand behind these events, particularly in the context of Russia's interference in Hungarian elections in favor of Orban.

Director of the Military Security Agency of Serbia, Djuro Jovanic, stated that Serbian services did not find any Ukrainian trace in the attempted sabotage of the gas pipeline. This situation remains tense, and monitoring developments in the energy sector is of utmost importance for both countries.