Hungary will take legal action at the European Union’s top court to challenge new EU rules phasing out imports of Russian gas, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday.
Szijjarto said Budapest will ask the Court of Justice of the European Union to annul the regulation once it is formally published, arguing that the decision breaches EU treaties by interfering with national authority over energy policy.
"We will use every legal means to have it annulled," Szijjarto said in a post on X.
He claimed the EU had used a "legal trick" to pass what he described as a sanctions-style measure as a trade decision, allowing it to be adopted without unanimous approval by member states.
"The treaties are clear: decisions on the energy mix are a national competence," Szijjarto said. "Banning Hungary from buying oil and gas from Russia goes against our national interest and would significantly increase energy costs for Hungarian families."
The European Union on Monday formally adopted new rules to gradually phase out imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the measures approved by all 27 member states, according to the EU Council.
Under the regulation, restrictions on Russian gas imports will begin six weeks after the rules enter into force. Existing contracts will be allowed to continue during a transition period to limit market disruption and price shocks.
A full ban on LNG imports from Russia will apply from the beginning of 2027, while pipeline gas imports will be prohibited from autumn 2027.
EU member states will be required to verify the origin of gas before authorising its entry into the bloc. Companies must also inform national authorities and the European Commission of any remaining contracts involving Russian gas.
The regulation includes monitoring requirements, supply diversification obligations and penalties for violations, including fines of at least €2.5 million for individuals and €40 million for companies, or up to 3.5% of a firm’s global annual turnover.
Central Asian countries have agreed on water withdrawal limits and reservoir operating plans for the 2026-2027 non-growing season, with inflows int...
Tajikistan has begun the process of leaving the International Criminal Court, citing what it calls growing politicisation and bias in the court&rsq...
Microsoft has introduced new tools to stop AI agents from accessing data without permission, alongside a Nvidia-powered Surface laptop that can run...
Russia's health watchdog said on Tuesday that no cases of plague had been detected among anyone who had come into contact with a Siberian plague institute laboratory worker who died last week, and locals said their lives had barely been disrupted.
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
An investigation into August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has no connection to Azerbaijan, informed sources have told AnewZ.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday 8 October, that Yerevan will discuss the possible construction of railway connections with the Turkish city of Kars and the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan with Russian officials next week, according to local media.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
Iran says it will deliver its response to recent U.S. proposals through intermediaries, underscoring that communication between the two countries continues indirectly alongside ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
International cooperation, lunar exploration and the growing role of artificial intelligence dominated the third day of a major astronautical conference now underway in Antalya.
Armenian authorities have frozen a wide range of assets belonging to billionaire businessman and opposition politician Gagik Tsarukyan as part of proceedings linked to the confiscation of property allegedly acquired illegally.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment