TASHKENT, October 9 Uzbekistan has begun negotiations with Gazprom on medium- and long-term contracts for gas supplies, the country's Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov said in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Saturday launched the supply of Russian gas to Uzbekistan through the territory of Kazakhstan.
“»As part of the official visit of our president (to Russia — ed.), we and «Gazprom has begun negotiations on medium- and long-term contracts for gas supplies,» Mirzamakhmudov said.
According to the minister, supplies of “blue fuel” from Russia within the framework of a long-term partnership will help cover part of the gas deficit in Uzbekistan in the autumn-winter period, taking into account the growth of the economy, population and demand for energy resources.
Gazprom reported that the export of Russian gas through Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan is planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023. The corresponding contract was signed by Mirzamakhmudov and the head of Gazprom Alexey Miller in June.
The Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan specified that the republic entered into a contract for the purchase of gas for two years, deliveries were planned to begin on October 1, the volume of purchases will be 9 million cubic meters per day — about 2.8 billion cubic meters per year. It was noted that Russian gas will be supplied to Uzbekistan in reverse mode via the Central Asia – Center gas pipeline system through Kazakhstan.