Uzbekistan’s Energy Minister, Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov, announced that the country has commenced negotiations with Gazprom (MOEX: MCX:GAZP), a leading Russian energy company, for medium and long-term gas supply contracts. The announcement was made during an official visit to Russia by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which was confirmed in a broadcast on the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.

The first Russian gas shipments to Uzbekistan were launched on October 1. This initiative was driven by the presidents of Russia, Vladimir Putin, Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and Uzbekistan’s own Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The gas is being transported through the Central Asia – Center gas pipeline system.

Earlier this year, in June, a two-year gas purchase and sale agreement was signed between UzGasTrade JSC and Gazprom Export LLC. The agreement, signed by Mirzamakhmudov and Gazprom Chairman Alexei Miller, ensures a daily supply of 9 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas or nearly 2.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually starting from Q4 2023.