Putin: Russia ready to increase gas supply to Uzbekistan

TASHKENT. May 27 (Interfax) - Russia is ready to increase the supply of gas to Uzbekistan if necessary, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"It deserves a special mention that you, I and the Kazakh president launched the supply of Russian gas to Uzbekistan through Kazakh territory on October 7, 2023. Exports are way ahead of schedule, and we are ready to increase their amount if necessary," Putin said at expanded-format negotiations with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

A joint statement of the Russian and Uzbek presidents "which designates key tasks for further strengthening bilateral interaction in various areas" has been drafted for the summit, Putin said.

"A substantial package of intergovernmental, interagency, interregional and commercial agreements will be signed to address cooperation in trade, industry, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, culture, science and education," he said.

A number of large-scale bilateral infrastructure projects are being discussed in order to build a metallurgical cluster, a gas chemical plant, and a copper concentrator, Putin said.