Szijjarto: Transatlantic relations crucial for Hungary

Hungary sees transatlantic relations as a priority and welcomes improvement of those ties, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a conference on the US and central Europe in Washington, DC on Wednesday. Regarding US-central Europe relations, Szijjarto said "a couple of years back we understood our region was not really on the radar screen of US foreign policy... We are happy that central Europe is [now] considered a strategic location." Regarding the region's energy security, Szijjarto said current infrastructural realities dictate that Hungary can only buy gas from Russia. It is up to the US and European allies to make it possible for Hungary to import gas from a Romanian offshore field as Hungary has met all infrastructural requirements for such transports, he said.