Alexander Novak: Uzbekistan is interested in creating a gas union with the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan is interested in a project to create a "triple gas union" with the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, at a joint commission at the level of heads of government in Samarkand, the parties agreed to continue the dialogue, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Friday outcome of the negotiations. It was reported by TASS.

“We agreed to continue the dialogue. We are ready to ensure an increase in gas supplies to the Republic of Uzbekistan, since gas consumption in Uzbekistan is growing and will continue to grow in the short term. And there is a possibility of expanding this cooperation on gas supplies. The technical details will be worked out in the near future,” Novak said.

Asked if Uzbekistan is interested in implementing a gas union, Novak replied: “Yes, of course. We agreed to continue the work, since there is an interest in additional supplies of Russian gas to the Republic of Uzbekistan. I repeat, we need to work out technical issues and commercial ones.”

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a meeting with Mikhail Mishustin on 28 November said that at the negotiations that had ended before, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the need to create a trilateral union with the participation of the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Tokayev added that the Kazakh side "needs to delve into this topic" in order to "come to the desired results and agreements."