Escalating Energy Dispute Between Zagreb and Budapest
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has vehemently rejected accusations from Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who claimed that Croatia is engaging in 'war profiteering' by overcharging for oil transit. Plenković countered that it is Hungary that benefits from cheaper Russian hydrocarbons, while Croatia serves as a crucial energy hub for the region. The exchange highlights escalating tensions between the two EU member states over energy supply and pricing amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Hungary's Accusations and Croatia's Rebuttal
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó initially leveled the accusations, stating that Croatia was imposing a 'war surcharge' on oil transported through the Adriatic Oil Pipeline (JANAF) and setting prices significantly above European benchmarks. These claims were reportedly made during the UN General Assembly. Szijjártó also expressed doubts about JANAF's technical capacity to reliably supply Hungary and Slovakia.
In response, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković 'categorically rejected' these assertions, labeling them 'false theses' and 'outrageous.' He emphasized that Croatia, through its JANAF pipeline and the LNG terminal at Omišalj, functions as a vital regional energy hub, committed to ensuring energy security for the European Union and neighboring countries. Plenković argued that any suggestion of Croatia being a 'war speculator' is a deliberate distortion aimed at misleading the international audience.
Croatia Highlights Energy Capacity and Fair Pricing
Plenković underscored Croatia's robust energy infrastructure and transparent pricing policies. He noted that the regasification capacity of the Omišalj LNG terminal has been expanded to 6.1 billion cubic meters per year. Furthermore, technical tests have confirmed that JANAF is capable of transporting 15 million tonnes of oil annually, sufficient to meet the needs of refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, thereby providing a 'fully secure alternative route.' Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar corroborated these statements, affirming JANAF's capacity to deliver necessary oil quantities.
Regarding pricing, Plenković and Šušnjar asserted that Croatia applies the same tariffs to Hungary as to all other clients. They clarified that oil transport costs constitute only approximately 2% of the final fuel price, rendering claims of excessive charges unfounded. They also pointed out that prices tend to decrease with higher shipment volumes.
The 'Real' War Profiteer: Hungary's Stance on Russian Oil
Prime Minister Plenković directly countered Hungary's accusations by stating that the true 'war profiteer' is Hungary itself. He argued that Hungary continues to benefit from cheaper Russian oil and gas, despite the availability of proven alternative supply routes through Croatia. This ongoing dispute is set against a backdrop of broader disagreements concerning energy supply, particularly Russian oil, and the reliability and cost-effectiveness of alternative routes like the Adriatic pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia maintain significant reliance on Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline and have received exemptions from certain EU sanctions. The disagreement also touches upon a long-standing corporate dispute involving the Hungarian energy group MOL and Croatia concerning the INA oil company.
5 Comments
Muchacho
The debate over 'war profiteering' is complex; while Croatia asserts fair pricing, Hungary's dependency on affordable energy is a real challenge. This isn't just about transit fees, but also about long-standing political friction.
Coccinella
Both sides are presenting their cases strongly, but the core issue seems to be energy independence versus cost-effectiveness for landlocked nations. The EU needs a unified strategy to address these internal energy disputes more effectively.
Comandante
Croatia's 'fair prices' still seem suspiciously high during a crisis. War profiteering, indeed.
Muchacha
Plenković is right. Hungary playing the victim while benefiting from Moscow is rich.
Mariposa
It's true that Croatia provides a crucial alternative route, yet Hungary's continued reliance on Russian energy points to deeper issues than just transit fees. The corporate dispute between MOL and INA probably adds another layer of complexity here.