Croatia and Hungary are exploring deeper cooperation in oil and gas infrastructure, with the JANAF pipeline and the Krk LNG terminal central to efforts to strengthen regional supply security. The discussions also cover practical steps aimed at demonstrating pipeline capabilities for regional demand. Zagreb and Budapest have framed the work around improving energy partnership across transport and supply options.
Practical tests for JANAF supply capacity
Croatia has offered practical tests to demonstrate JANAF capacity to supply Hungary and Slovakia. Economy Minister Ante Susnjar said Zagreb is prepared to verify the capabilities of the pipeline and other strategic infrastructure. The proposed checks are intended to establish what transport capacity can be supported through the system.
MOL-INA talks and oil company disputes
Hungarian Economy and Energy Minister Istvan Kapitany backed further discussions between MOL and Croatia’s INA. The ministers’ engagement is linked to efforts to improve a relationship described as long complicated by disagreements over the Croatian oil company. The renewed talks are part of a broader push covering both oil and gas infrastructure cooperation.
Krk LNG expansion and interconnector capacity targets
The wider agenda includes further expansion of Krk LNG. It also includes an expected increase in Croatian-Hungarian gas interconnector capacity by the end of 2026. The governments are also considering cooperation on a gas field extending across their border.
Bled Strategic Forum boosts political backing
Talks gained political support after Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met at the Bled Strategic Forum in August. Kapitany said Hungarian investments in Croatia total about €5.4 billion, representing roughly 11.2% of Hungary’s foreign investments. He also indicated that the commercial test will be whether renewed political cooperation results in additional transport capacity and supply agreements for regional buyers.
