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Karel Havlíček announced that the Czech Republic is ready to begin technical investments regarding the Druzhba oil pipeline so that oil can once again be transported to Slovakia. The minister stated that it will not be an easy project, but a crucial step for both countries, from which Hungary could also benefit “if necessary.”
The Czech Republic announced that it is ready to begin the investments necessary for reverse-flow transportation via the Druzhba oil pipeline, which would ensure Slovakia’s oil supply. Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček made the announcement following a meeting in Prague with Slovak Minister of Economy Denisa Saková.
The Czech minister stated that tens of thousands of tons of crude oil could be transported via the pipeline within a few months, and that capacity could increase to two to three million tons per year within two to three years, according to Teraz.
Vztahy mezi Českem a Slovenskem se po několika letech dostávají opět do úrovně zemí, které k sobě mají nejblíže. I díky tomu mohlo dnes v Praze proběhnout mimořádné jednání k posílení energetické bezpečnosti ve střední Evropě. Děkuji @SakovaSr pic.twitter.com/lxmjhBXGfZ
— Karel Havlíček (@KarelHavlicek_) March 18, 2026
Regarding reverse-flow operations, we have offered Slovakia the option of utilizing the reverse flow capacity provided by the Druzhba pipeline. In other words, we are ready to begin the technical investment necessary to enable the transport of crude oil from the Czech Republic to Slovakia. We have also opened up the same possibility for finished products—namely gasoline and diesel—via the crude oil pipelines, said Karel Havlíček. The Czech Republic receives non-Russian crude oil via the Adria pipeline from the port of Omišalj in Croatia—this would be pumped back to Slovakia, and if necessary, to Hungary as well, by operating the Druzhba pipeline in reverse.
Fact
Key origins of Czech oil include Azerbaijan (often the largest or second-largest in recent years), Kazakhstan, Norway, and increasingly global seaborne sources (e.g., from the Middle East, Africa, or North Sea).
He emphasized that this step would strengthen Central Europe’s energy security. They agreed to launch the process because “this is the fundamental message,” and through it they can strengthen Central Europe’s energy security. The minister believes that it will not be an easy project, but if a final agreement is reached in the coming days or weeks at most, then this will be a key step for both Slovakia and the Czech Republic, from which Hungary could also benefit.
Denisa Saková explained that a working group consisting of representatives from Transpetrol and MERO will address the issue, testing the reverse flow. She added that both parties are attempting to secure funding from the European Commission for the investments.
On Tuesday, Péter Szijjártó sharply criticized Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement regarding the Druzhba oil pipeline, calling the oil blockade affecting Hungary and Slovakia a political maneuver. According to the foreign minister, a coordinated decision by Brussels, Berlin, and Kyiv lies behind this, and he claimed that the Tisza Party (largest opposition) had also been informed of this. The foreign minister urged immediate steps to lift the restrictions and resume oil shipments.
Reverzní chod ropy z ČR na Slovensko, expertiza poškození Družby na UKR a mediace sporu o testování dodávek skrze ropovod Adria z Chorvatska do Maďarska. ČR, v souladu se zájmy EU, pomáhá udržet energetickou bezpečnost v regionu. S ministryní hospodářství SR Sakovou dnes v Praze. pic.twitter.com/F3YzI6QtFc
— Karel Havlíček (@KarelHavlicek_) March 18, 2026
The Friendship oil pipeline could be repaired with the help of the European Union, which would provide both technical support and financial assistance to Ukraine, allowing Russian crude oil to flow through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia again at some point in the future. In the statement, the heads of the two EU institutions note that following the Russian attack on January 27, which halted oil shipments through the pipeline, they held intensive negotiations with the parties involved to restore oil shipments to Hungary and Slovakia.
António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU has offered technical support and funding to Ukraine for the restoration of the oil pipeline, which Ukraine has accepted. As stated in the press release: “It is of paramount importance to us to ensure the energy security of all European citizens. In this spirit, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council will continue to work with the parties concerned on alternative routes for delivering non-Russian crude oil to Central and Eastern European countries.”
The debate over the Druzhba oil pipeline is growing increasingly heated; as the prime minister sees it, the issue now goes beyond energy security and also affects Hungarian domestic politics. Viktor Orbán believes that the Tisza Party could use the oil blockade to influence the elections, while the government is linking the disbursement of EU funds to the resumption of shipments.
Via Index, Teraz; Featured image: Pixabay
The post Czech Investment in Druzhba Pipeline Could Aid Hungary’s Oil Crunch appeared first on Hungary Today.
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