Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szjjártó spoke about the Paks investment at the general assembly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday. According to his opinion, nuclear energy cooperation could be and should be a field that “brings back rationality, common sense and the hope of peaceful coexistence into world politics”. He referred to Hungary as a good example, since two new units are being built in Paks. It was emphasized that besides the Russian contractor, American, French, German, Austrian and Swiss companies are also working on the project.

– This reveals that partnership and cooperation in the field of nuclear energy is still based on professional basis and, in my opinion, this is good news – he said.

He pointed out that due to the investment, the share of nuclear energy in the electricity supply will increase to 70 per cent, while gas consumption can decrease by three billion cubic meters, while carbon dioxide emissions by 17 million tons. – If we take these facts into consideration we can ask the question, what is considered green if nuclear energy is not – he said.

Regarding the Paks II. investment he informed that the work is progressing well, the deepening of the excavation pit to design level will soon begin, the soil consolidation is 35% complete, around 25 000 piles have been driven into the ground so far. A thousand people work on the site and the first concrete will be poured this year. He added that simultaneously, the government is working on the service life extension of the four existing reactors in Paks.

Péter Szijjártó, who also represented the European Union as President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, reported that

The minister emphasized that the sovereign right of each country to create its own energy mix has to be respected. At the same time, it also must be understood that no country shall obstruct the secure energy supply of another country. – Therefore, we urge the strengthening of the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in order to guarantee the safe transit of nuclear fuel by the states, which is supremely important concerning the secure energy supply of other states, he declared.

Péter Szijjártó announced on his social media platform that he also had a discussion with Rafael Grossi, General Director of the IAEA, and among other things, he informed him about the progress of the Paks II. project as well.