Uzbekistan discussing gas transit via Central Asia-Center with Gazprom as part of roadmap

TASHKENT. Jan 25 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan is discussing gas supply issues with Gazprom within the framework of the recently signed roadmap, but there have been no talks on transferring the gas transmission system to the Russian gas giant, the Uzbek Energy Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Negotiations and the roadmap adopted are aimed at supplying natural gas to the domestic market in the needed amounts while fully maintaining ownership over the existing gas transmission system of the Republic of Uzbekistan. There is no threat in this instance to either the gas transmission system or our sovereignty," the Energy Ministry said on Telegram.

The Uzbek Energy Ministry and Gazprom held talks on cooperating in the gas sector and discussed the technical possibilities for supplies of natural gas from Russia to Uzbekistan on January 24 of this year, the ministry said.

In line with the roadmap signed, a working group set up between the parties has adopted the technical measures necessary to perform gas transit through the Central Asia-Center pipeline that runs through the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The main conditions for supplies of natural gas will be discussed after the working group has technically completed all operations.

A working meeting was held between Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov on January 24. The parties considered current and prospective issues of cooperation. Miller and Mirzamakhmudov signed a roadmap for cooperation in the gas sector at the meeting.