Magyar says Austria filed complaint against Hungary with Brussels over construction of weir at Paks

“The only reason why the Paks Nuclear Power Plant is currently able to operate without interruption is thanks to the weir that has been built. Meanwhile, Austria has filed a complaint against Hungary in Brussels over its construction,” Péter Magyar announced on Facebook on Wednesday. In his post, the Hungarian Prime Minister added: “It would be nice if the Austrians were this active regarding the asbestos issue as well…”.

Due to record-low water levels in the Danube, Hungary's only Nuclear Power Plant, located in Paks, had to be shut down almost completely this summer because the system barely managed to draw the cooling water necessary for its operation from the Danube. A complete shutdown was ultimately avoided because one turbine could be kept in operation even during the most critical period. In order to ensure an adequate supply of water, the government decided on August 12 to construct a weir on the Danube, as it provides a quick solution for ensuring the plant’s continued operation; the plant has since resumed operating at full capacity.

According to VG, in response to an inquiry from the APA news agency, the Austrian Ministry of Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure stated that no complaint had been filed, but both the European Commission and the Budapest-based (non-EU) Danube Commission are in direct contact with the relevant Hungarian authorities.

Representatives of the countries participating in the European Union's Strategy for the Danube Region have also developed a joint position, which they have already conveyed to the Hungarian Minister of Transportation Dávid Vitézy and Prime Minister Péter Magyar, the Austrian ministry stated. (The strategy was adopted during Hungary’s 2011 presidency of the Council of the European Union, and it is not legally binding on anyone. The European Commission is responsible for enforcing EU legislation. If a member state violates any of these laws, the Commission may, after informal consultations, initiate infringement proceedings.)