With Europe heading towards recession and struggling with skyrocketing energy prices and supply chain disruptions, the importance of nuclear energy has increased, Szijjártó said.

He noted Hungary's more than 40 years of "very positive" experience in the use of nuclear energy, calling it "cheap and sustainable."

Szijjártó said that while the first package of EU sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine did not affect nuclear energy, there are now some in the Union who want to place obstacles in front of nuclear investments.

He said the government would take any measure by the EU and its institutions that hindered the Paks upgrade as "an attack on our sovereignty," adding that secure energy supplies were "a matter of sovereignty."

The two new Paks reactors will meet the highest safety standards, he said, adding that the international project led by Rosatom also involves American, French and German companies as subcontractors.