"Lukoil began big work there and meets all requirements of the Uzbek legislation, including environmental ones," he told a news conference after the launch of the Khauzak bloc of the Dengizkul gas deposit.

"The company works at the world’s highest level unlike some largest western companies that operate on the Russian market," he said.

Ivanov expressed the hope that this gas province with Lukoil’s assistance will further develop and create new jobs for Russian and Uzbek citizens.