SOFIA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) should create an infrastructure for the diversification of crude oil supplies, Bulgarian caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov said on Wednesday.
Malinov made the statement at a meeting with Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, during the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC) ministerial meeting in Bucharest, Romania.
Malinov expressed sympathy for Hungary's difficulties in obtaining crude oil supplies, the ministry said in a press release.
"Minister Malinov shared that the European Commission should unite its efforts to create the necessary infrastructure, including for the transmission of crude oil from alternative sources, to guarantee energy supplies," the Ministry said.
To this end, Malinov made a commitment that Bulgaria would assist Hungary in the process of identifying potential infrastructure for the diversification of crude oil supplies, it said.
Hungary and Slovakia have asked the EU to mediate a consultation procedure with Ukraine over its decision to halt Russian oil transit to the two countries. ■
