Hungarian opposition demands tough line with Moscow

Dec 6, 2007, 13:37 GMT

Budapest - Hungary's main opposition party Fidesz on Thursday said it expected Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany to take a hard line with his Russian counterpart on energy issues when the two men meet in Budapest Friday.

Viktor Zubkov and Gyurcsany are scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss bilateral relations, energy issues and the establishment of a Russian logistics centre in eastern Hungary.

The centre-right Fidesz's spokesman on foreign affairs Zsolt Nemeth said that Gyurcsany should make it clear to Zubkov that Hungary supports the EU-backed Nabucco gas pipeline over a Russian alternative.

The Nabucco pipeline is aimed at easing concerns over a Russian monopoly on gas supplies to Europe, but Hungary only recently threw its full backing behind the project.

Fidesz, a party that grew out of anti-Soviet radicals active in 1980s Communist Hungary, has been a strong critic of the government for cosying up to Russia over the last few years.

Gyurcsany's Hungarian Socialist Party is the natural successor of the communist party from the Soviet era and is often accused of still sticking to the old ideals despite displaying a clear capitalist bent.

Fidesz leader Viktor Orban has previously said that Hungary is letting 'Russia climb back in through the window' after kicking them out of the door.

Nemeth said that Gyurcsany should also raise concerns over the legitimacy of the recent Russian parliamentary elections, which saw a sweeping victory for President Vladimir Putin's party.

Some foreign observers and Russian opposition figures have said the elections were subject to manipulation.

Putin appointed Zubkov to replace Mikhail Fradkov as Russian Prime Minister in September.