HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO RATIFY

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000773 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JLAMORE, EUR/FO, EUR/ERA, EEB/FO FOR AMBASSADOR MORNINGSTAR, ENERGY MAPICELLI AND MCOHEN, PLEASE PASS TO NSC JHOVENIER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG ECON EPET PGOV HU SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT VOTES UNANIMOUSLY TO RATIFY NABUCCO IGA ¶1. (U) The Hungarian parliament voted on October 19 to ratify the Nabucco Pipeline Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA),which was concluded on July 13 by Hungary, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The measure passed with 334 affirmative votes and one abstention, making Hungary the first Nabucco country to ratify the IGA. Speaking before the parliamentary vote, Foreign Ministry State Secretary Vilmos Szabo highlighted Nabucco's importance as a means to reduce risks to Hungary's gas supply brought by frequent conflicts between Ukraine and Russia. He also noted that the construction of the pipeline would represent a major foreign investment for Hungary that would bring jobs and a steady source of revenue. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: The unanimous vote further demonstrates the strong cross-party consensus, a rarity in Hungary, that exists in support of Nabucco. Post will continue to engage with GoH on the importance of diversifying energy sources and supply routes. End comment. LEVINE