(ANSA) - BUDAPEST - ''Our goal is to cooperate with Russia, in accordance with international law and through a pragmatic partnership, in order to make agreements which are useful for safe energy supplies'', Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the country tomorrow. This controversial visit, according to observers, is a clear sign of Orban's Hungary rapprochement with Russia in a crucial period which is marked by the Ukrainian conflict, while the government stresses the importance of energy issues.

A new contract for natural gas supplies to Hungary will be the main theme of Putin's visit.

The current ten-year contract is going to expire this year.

Orban had signed an agreement with Russia for the construction of new reactors at Paks nuclear power plant funded by Russia with10 billion euro. The Democratic opposition criticized this agreement and the nuclear option. ''Niet to Russia, Yes to Europe!'' was the slogan of a manifestation held today in Budapest to protest against Putin's visit. (ANSA).