Photo- EC Audiovisual Service

Leaders from Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan as well as European Commission President Usrula Von Der Leyen are expected to sign an electricity supply agreement today.

The agreement entails the supply of electricity from Azerbaijan to the EU via the construction an undersea cable in the Black Sea. The cable would run through Georgia, Romania and Hungary and serve as an additional source of energy for the EU. The agreement comes amid European attempts to diversify away from Russian energy related exports due to the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

While Hungary and its Prime Minister Viktor Orban are critical of moves to replace imports from Russia, its acceptance and involvement in the agreement indicates it is willing to toe the EU line in this matter. Despite expanding its purchases of Russian gas in August, Hungary´s government has aimed to phase out Russian gas by 2050. Hungary´s cooperation may be due to the leverage that the cable may grant it in ongoing disputes with the EU—while stalling the construction of the capable is unlikely, its construction using Hungarian territory likely gives the country a greater voice in energy security discussions within the bloc.