Russian gas transit to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan enhances Central Asian energy security - Tokayev

ASTANA. Nov 9 (Interfax) - Russian gas transit to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan enhances Central Asia's energy security, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"The growing level of energy cooperation deserves a special mention. The recent launch of Russian gas transit to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan is a remarkable event. This project plays a key role in strengthening regional stability and energy security in Central Asia," Tokayev said.

Construction of a Kazakh-Russian plant with an annual rated capacity of 340,000 tonnes of butadiene has begun together with the Tatneft company, and negotiations on building a polyethylene plant have been completed, he said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper that the route would make it possible to use available gas pipelines in the most effective way, and would promote the development of the three countries and the entire Central Asian region.

A ceremony for launching the Russian gas supply to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan took place on October 7.