Croatia Proposes Adria Pipeline as Alternative to 'Druzhba' for Hungarian and Slovak Oil

Oil Supply for Hungary and Slovakia

According to Главком: Croatia is prepared to supply oil to Hungary and Slovakia via the Adria pipeline, aiming to offset potential disruptions to the 'Druzhba' pipeline. The Adria pipeline has an annual capacity of 15 million tons of oil, which is sufficient to fully meet the needs of both countries. Negotiations are underway with the governments of Hungary and Slovakia, as well as with the European Commission, to implement this supply route.

The 'Druzhba' pipeline has traditionally been a key route for delivering Russian oil to Central European nations. In response to potential risks associated with the Ukrainian section of this pipeline, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have proposed creating a special investigative commission for technical and political review. This move comes after Croatia had previously refused Hungarian and Slovak requests to allow the transit of Russian oil through the Adria pipeline.

Regional Energy Security

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated: 'Croatia is a neighbor, partner, and friend that ensures the energy security and uninterrupted functioning of the economies of Hungary and Slovakia.'

Securing alternative oil supplies via the Adria pipeline could be a significant step for Hungary and Slovakia in bolstering their energy security, particularly amid instability linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. This initiative highlights Croatia's efforts to strengthen regional energy cooperation, which could help reduce dependence on traditional suppliers like Russia. The proposal reflects a broader European push to diversify energy sources and routes away from Russia.