A key pipeline that would transit Syria, and which has been sidelined by political turmoil and violence, may now finally happen.
Such a pipeline “holds potential not only as a solution to energy challenges but also as a means to foster regional cooperation,” energy expert Imraan Minty told the Turkish Anadolu news agency.
“Key transit countries, such as Syria and Iraq, could benefit from transit fees, employment opportunities, and increased energy access, thereby aligning their interests with those of Qatar and Turkey,” he added.
Both Turkey and Qatar are key players in terms of Hungary’s energy security, according to Mandiner. Last year, Hungary became the first non-neighboring country to which Turkey began exporting natural gas, allowing it to replace the gas from Russia recently stopped by Ukraine.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced last year that Hungary would buy gas from Qatar as well.
“A good perspective has opened up for Qatari-Hungarian economic cooperation,” the Hungarian prime minister said at the time. Importing gas directly from Qatar via pipeline would be a massive advantage for Hungary and would also make it a key energy hub, transiting gas to other EU member states.
Zsolt Hernádi, CEO of MOL, recently told Mandiner that also wrote that Syria could be a key area for the Hungarian oil and gas company, especially as it was already there before the civil war.
The CEO credited Hungary’s foreign policy efforts for Hungary now being posed to get a seat at the table if the situation in Syria finally stabilizes. Hernádi added that Hungary has “excellent relations” with Central Asia and the Organization of Turkic States, including Turkey.
Back in October, at the UN General Assembly in New York, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó highlighted the importance of both Turkey and Qatar in the country’s energy security going forward.
“Turkey can play an important role now, and Qatar in the future, in the security of Hungarian energy supply,” he said at the time, calling the TurkStream pipeline, which provides the majority of domestic natural gas supplies, “a completely reliable route,” The foreign minister also indicated that Hungary is in discussions with Qatar on how liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Middle Eastern country can be included in the Hungarian energy mix starting in 2027, with a survey of possible routes underway.
