Turkmenistan to increase gas supplies to Uzbekistan

During a phone conversation held on November 5 between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, the parties discussed cooperation in the natural gas sector.

"The National Leader of the Turkmen people and the head of the friendly neighboring state noted the high efficiency of joint efforts in the gas sector, emphasized their long-term nature, and agreed to increase the volume of Turkmen natural gas supplies to Uzbekistan. They also highlighted the great potential of joint gas projects planned for implementation in the near future," the press service of the Turkmen president stated.

It was also noted that during the phone conversation, the parties discussed bilateral cooperation in the water management sector. Berdimuhamedov shared Turkmenistan's position on resolving the water issues in Central Asia. According to this position, the region's water resources should be managed based on internationally recognized legal norms, taking into account the interests of all countries in the region. He emphasized that the issue of water in Central Asia should be addressed with the involvement of international organizations, primarily the UN. President Mirziyoyev noted that the approaches of both states on this issue “fully align.”

The press service of Uzbekistan’s president also reported that the leaders discussed prospects for further developing mutually beneficial cooperation in energy and water use. They also exchanged views on the current international situation and the regional agenda.

At the end of October, it was reported that Turkmenistan had stopped supplying gas to Russia. The contract between “Turkmengaz” and “Gazprom” had expired on June 30 of this year, and the two sides failed to reach a new agreement on gas prices, preventing the signing of a new contract.

Additionally, it was recently announced that construction has begun on the Afghan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.