On 27 February, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met Péter Szijjártó the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest, after that they spoke at a joint press conference about the appreciation of the importance of nuclear energy.

Péter Szijjártó underlined that Hungary does not approach energy supply on an ideological basis. Our country is increasing its nuclear power generation capacity: extending the operational lifetime of the existing nuclear power plant by twenty years and building two new units. All this with the professional support of the IAEA. – The International Atomic Energy Agency is constantly monitoring Paks II. construction as well - highlighted the head of the ministry.

- We are constantly moving towards the first concrete pouring, but the measures taken by the Biden administration as a political revenge are delaying us - he added. He reported that the Hungarian government submitted an official request that Paks II. investment should be exempted from the sanctions imposed by the previous US administration.

-said Péter Szijjártó. He added that close professional consultation is taking place with the IAEA in this matter as well. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated: There is no energy security in Hungary without nuclear energy, therefore they will also prevent the EU sanctions package from including sanctions against the nuclear energy industry in the future.

- We agree with the long-term extension of the operating time of the first four units and we also support the construction of the new units, which is essential for the future of the Hungarian economy - said Rafael Grossi, referring to the fact that the IAEA provides professional, safety-related support for this. – As they say in football, we don't change a winning team.

- summed up the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.