Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Djedovic, met with Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin and Hungary’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Sztaray, to discuss the implementation of the planned Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline. She stated that the project holds major strategic importance for Serbia’s energy security.
During the meeting, the participants noted progress in the design phase of the pipeline sections in both Serbia and Hungary and confirmed that high-level talks will continue to address remaining legal, economic, and technical matters. Djedovic emphasized that in the current geopolitical climate, Serbia must secure multiple supply options to reduce the risks of relying on a single crude oil source. She highlighted that Serbia and Hungary have jointly acknowledged the importance of constructing the pipeline, which will ensure supply diversification and strengthen energy security.
Negotiations with Russian and Hungarian authorities will proceed to finalize project details, which she described as crucial not only for Serbia but also for the wider region. The Minister also referred to existing trilateral cooperation in the natural gas sector as a model for oil supplies, comparing the planned oil pipeline to the Balkan Stream gas pipeline, which has already become a cornerstone of energy connectivity and reliability between Serbia, Hungary, and Russia. She suggested that the new project could become another pillar of long-term partnership.
The Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline is planned as a modern, high-capacity route directly linking Serbia’s crude oil infrastructure with Hungary’s refinery system. According to preliminary plans, it will span over 120 kilometers, starting from Novi Sad and connecting to the Hungarian network near Szeged. The pipeline will enable Serbia to access alternative crude oil sources transported through the Adriatic and other regional routes, reducing its dependence on imports delivered solely via the Druzhba system. This diversification is expected to stabilize supplies, lower logistical risks, and strengthen the resilience of Serbia’s energy system in the long term.
