Uzbek energy minister discusses 'current cooperation issues' with Gazprom

MOSCOW. Dec 13 (Interfax) - Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov has held talks with Gazprom on the heels of his Kazakh counterpart following the announcement of Russian President Vladimir Putin's initiative to create a tripartite gas union consisting of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

"[Gazprom CEO] Alexei Miller and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov have discussed current issues of cooperation," Gazprom said in a statement.

The leadership of the three countries are discussing the possibility of boosting supplies of Russian gas to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in light of growth in domestic consumption and export obligations. Gas transport infrastructure for the supply of gas may need to be upgraded and new pipelines may need to be built for this. It will be necessary to invest around 260 billion rubles in the development of gas transport infrastructure in Russia.