Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has emphasized the importance of the TurkStream pipeline in ensuring the energy security of Serbia and Hungary. He expressed his hope that the pipeline, which transports Russian natural gas through the Black Sea, remains safe and secure, and does not face the same attacks as the Nord Stream pipelines.
This statement from Vucic comes after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned that any attacks on Russian gas-supply routes to the region would be seen as a pretext for war by both Budapest and Belgrade. The Nord Stream pipelines, which were constructed to deliver Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, experienced explosions in September last year. The operator of the pipelines, Nord Stream AG, stated that the damage was extensive and it was uncertain how long repairs would take.
While official investigation results have not been announced, veteran US investigative journalist Seymour Hersh claimed that the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines was orchestrated by Washington with assistance from Norway. The US has denied these allegations and dismissed them as “complete fiction.”
When asked about Orban’s warning, Vucic told reporters that he hoped no one would attempt to attack the TurkStream pipeline, as it would leave Serbia and Hungary without the energy resources they have built and paid for. He stressed that any damage to the pipeline or gas transmission systems would be catastrophic for both countries. Serbia and Hungary heavily rely on Russian oil and gas for their economies and have opposed sanctions that would have hindered their access to supplies from Moscow. They have also refused to impose any restrictions of their own.
In related news, a US state-run news outlet, RFE-RL, reported that South Stream Transport, the operator of the TurkStream pipeline, would be unable to repair any infrastructure damage because the Dutch government had revoked its license. South Stream Transport, a subsidiary of Russian energy giant Gazprom, is based in the Netherlands and operates the offshore portion of the pipeline. The company was forced to reapply for an export license from the Dutch authorities, which was withdrawn last September due to broader sanctions from the European Union.
The TurkStream pipeline plays a crucial role in ensuring the energy security of Serbia and Hungary. Any threats or attacks on the pipeline not only pose a risk to the stability of the region’s energy supply but also have broader geopolitical implications. Serbia and Hungary remain committed to maintaining their access to Russian oil and gas, prioritizing their own energy security over potential political pressures. The ongoing tensions surrounding energy infrastructure highlight the critical role that energy plays in international relations and underline the importance of safeguarding energy supply routes.
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