We need a transparent nuclear strategy" - Mr. Istvan Kapitany, candidate for Minister of Economy and Energy of Hungary, said at a hearing in parliament on May 11.
We must review the financial resources, costs of the Paks 2 project (expansion project) as well as the implementation conditions. These are secret contracts that we have not yet seen, so it is necessary to check," he added.
According to Mr. Kapitany, nuclear power will continue to play an important role in Hungary.
The candidate Minister in charge of economy and energy also pledged to fight corruption.
The 12.5 billion euro (about 14.7 billion USD) project to expand the Paks nuclear power plant with a capacity of 2 gigawatts by installing 2 more VVER reactors manufactured by Russia was assigned to Russian state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom in 2014 without bidding. This project has been delayed for many years.
This project is considered typical of the relationship between Budapest and Moscow under Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Last month, Mr. Peter Magyar - center-right leader and sworn in as Prime Minister of Hungary on May 9 - said that the cost of the Paks 2 expansion project has been excessively inflated. Rosatom affirmed its willingness to explain this price.
The numbers are reasonable. We can easily explain and prove if the Hungarian customer needs it. Finally, the Hungarian leadership and we have the same goal - to implement an important project for the Hungarian economy as quickly as possible, as efficiently as possible and at the best cost" - said Alexei Likhachev, General Director of Rosatom.
On the same day, May 11, Foreign Minister candidate Anita Orban stated in another hearing that Hungary wants to build an equal and transparent relationship with Russia.
Russia will remain a partner, but this relationship cannot be based on one-sided dependence," she said.
She said the first task in her position as foreign minister will be to restore confidence in Hungary.
It is necessary to pass laws to ensure the Hungarian judicial system is independent, public bidding packages are transparent, can fight corruption, inspect asset declarations and monitor the use of the European Union's funds," said Anita Orban.
She also emphasized that Hungary will not send troops or weapons to Ukraine.
