ASSESSMENTS

Hungary's Motivation in an Energy Dispute

Dec 27, 2013 | 11:09 GMT

Hungary's Motivation in an Energy Dispute
A worker checks the refinery plant at the Druzhba oil pipeline receiving station south of Budapest in 2007.

(ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

The long-running dispute between Hungarian oil and natural gas group MOL and Croatian energy firm INA is more than a simple battle of attrition. Full control of INA is a key component in Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's plan to give his country greater latitude in the delicate balancing act it must maintain with Russia and to develop Budapest's role as an emergent leader in Central Europe.

Control of Croatian energy firm INA is integral to Budapest's negotiating posture with both Russia and the European Union....

Keep Reading

Register to read three free articles

Proceed to sign up

Register Now

Already have an account?

Sign In