Description of Mirzamakhmudov
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan Zhorabek Mirzamakhmudov said that even if Uzbekistan signs a gas agreement with the Russian Federation, it does not mean the signing of an alliance. Transmits words “gazeta.uz”.
He added that the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan are negotiating the supply of Russian gas through neighboring Kazakhstan, but that this contract will be purely of a technical nature. Also, the official stressed that Tashkent is negotiating on the basis of its national interests.
“To meet demand, ensure domestic consumption and solve the problem, we are negotiating today to import gas and electricity from neighboring countries, not through some kind of alliance or union.
We are negotiating here based on national interests to cooperate on the basis of a commercial contract, purchase and sale, not through the transfer of our energy networks,” he said.
He added that republican officials would not endanger “national interests, economy and independence” and would not accept political terms in exchange for gas.
According to him, the Uzbek side will buy gas from the Russian Federation only at an affordable price and within the framework of the contract. “Uzbekistan has no common border with Russia. Therefore, negotiations will be held for its delivery via neighboring Kazakhstan. It will be a technical contract,” he said.
“Endpoint not determined”
Uzbekistan’s decision may not be final, said Igor Ananskikh, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Energy Committee, in a meeting with socialbites.ca.
“Uzbekistan will once again carefully consider Russia’s offer. Countries will return to this project in the foreseeable future. The endpoint has not yet been determined. The parliamentarian noted that Uzbekistan may return to consider the gas union issue in 2023.
He pointed out that the key factor in deciding the gas union for Uzbekistan should be the economy. “The world is changing. Now the main factor in making decisions is the economy, the desire of politicians to better live the people in the country. If Uzbekistan abandons the tripartite gas union, Russia will be able to establish a bilateral gas union with Kazakhstan. Why not, ”the deputy suggested.
Ananskikh added that the Russian Federation is interested in selling gas to as many countries as possible, and therefore is working on various options for “gas troops”.
“So far, the biggest markets for Russian gas are China and India. Uzbekistan could be a gas transit state. Ukraine, such a transitional state, lived in clover and received several billion cubic meters of gas per year only through the passage through its territory, ”said the deputy chairman of the Duma committee.
Kazakhstan changed its mind
On December 7, Kazakhstan Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vasilenko said that although Astana does not support sanctions as a method of solving international problems, the republic complies with the restriction regime.
“Contents [договора о газовом союзе с РФ] It’s too early to argue, because it’s still just an opinion. However, Kazakhstan’s principled stance is that Kazakhstan does not allow its territory to be used to circumvent sanctions. “These positions have not changed and will be used to evaluate potential new ventures.”
According to Vasilenko, a government commission was established in the country to study possible risks against the background of anti-Russian sanctions.
On November 28, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, announced the idea of creating a “tripartite gas union” with the participation of Russia and Uzbekistan.
“Today Vladimir Vladimirovich [Путин] He said we should form some kind of triple alliance. He will call the President of Uzbekistan on this matter. “We also need to examine this issue,” Tokayev said.
“In principle, we are ready for this. Why not?” he said.
On November 29, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a gas contingent was needed to coordinate gas supplies.
The project proposed by Putin includes the creation of a coordination mechanism and the development of gas consumption and transport infrastructure for both domestic and foreign markets.
“What President Putin has in mind is the creation of a coordination mechanism in the first place. Maybe – this is still being discussed – with a certain legal entity, both for cooperation between these three countries, and for developing infrastructure for foreign markets, ”Peskov said.
throttle position
According to Reuters, Uzbekistan is experiencing fuel shortages due to severe winter cold. The country had to stop 6 million cubic meters of gas exports to China.
Country officials decided to intensify negotiations with other countries on additional natural gas, electricity, coal and fuel purchases. In addition, Uzbekistan imposes a ban on the export of liquefied gas for private entrepreneurs.
Also, until March 1, 2023, government agencies are prohibited from driving liquefied gas powered cars.
Gas production volumes decreased in Uzbekistan. Production in the January-September period decreased by 1.6% compared to the same period of 2021 and became 38.85 billion cubic meters. According to the authorities, gas shortages of up to 20 million cubic meters per day are experienced in the republic at peak loads in winter.
The two branches of the Central Asia – Central (Turkmenistan to Russia) natural gas pipeline were laid through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It was built in the USSR.
The Bukhara-Ural gas pipeline was also laid from Russia to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan. The length of the pipe is more than 4.5 thousand km.
In 2020, Gazprom and KazTransGas also formed a working group on a planned 2.3 billion cubic meter natural gas pipeline project from Barnaul, Russia, to Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. m of gas per year.
Kazakhstan Energy Minister Bolat Akçulakov said in April 2022 that Kazakhstani authorities expect gas shortages by 2025. According to him, gas consumption from 2017 to 2021 increased by 4.8 billion cubic meters from 13.8 to 18.6 billion cubic meters. The annual average increase in gas consumption is about 7%.
Source: Gazeta
Ben Stock is a business analyst and writer for “Social Bites”. He offers insightful articles on the latest business news and developments, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the business world.