TASHKENT (Reuters) -Russia will construct a small nuclear energy plant in Uzbekistan, the primary such mission in post-Soviet Central Asia, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated on Monday at a gathering with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The nuclear deal, if applied, will showcase Russia’s means to export not solely power, but in addition high-tech merchandise to new Asian markets, at a time when the West is growing stress on it via sanctions.
Putin stated Russia would put $400 million right into a joint funding fund of $500 million to finance tasks in Uzbekistan.
Mirziyoyev additionally stated Tashkent was fascinated about shopping for extra oil and gasoline from Russia, a reversal of decades-long apply the place Moscow imported hydrocarbons from Central Asia.
The Uzbek president described Putin’s go to as “historic”.
“It heralds the beginning of a new age in the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance relations between our countries,” he stated.
Putin additionally referred to as Tashkent Moscow’s “strategic partner and reliable ally”.
In keeping with paperwork revealed by the Kremlin, Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom will construct as much as six nuclear reactors with a capability of 55 megawatts every in Uzbekistan, a a lot smaller-scale mission than the two.4 gigawatts one agreed in 2018 which stays to be finalised.
There aren’t any nuclear energy crops in any of the 5 ex-Soviet Central Asian republics, though Uzbekistan and its neighbour Kazakhstan, each uranium producers, have lengthy stated their rising economies wanted them.
The Kazakh mission, nevertheless, can solely transfer forward after a nationwide referendum which has not but been scheduled.
“Nearly all the leading countries of the world ensure their energy security and sustainable development with the help of nuclear energy,” Mirziyoyev stated.
ENERGY SUPPLIES
Making the most of Russia’s marketing campaign to redirect its gasoline exports to Asia amid a rift with the West over Ukraine, Uzbekistan final October began importing Russian through the identical pipeline which had beforehand pumped it within the reverse course.
Though its personal gasoline manufacturing stays substantial at about 50 billion cubic metres a yr, Uzbekistan struggles to completely meet home demand, and Russian provides have allowed it to avert an power disaster.
“(Gas) exports are running well ahead of schedule and we are ready to increase their volume if needed,” Putin stated.
In keeping with Mirziyoyev, Tashkent can also be eager to extend imports of Russian oil.
The 2 leaders additionally stated their governments have been engaged on giant tasks in mining, metals, and chemical compounds.
Uzbekistan, whose financial system relies upon closely on remittances from migrant labourers working in Russia, has maintained shut ties with Moscow after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Nonetheless, Mirziyoyev and different leaders within the area have by no means spoken in assist of what the Kremlin calls its particular navy operation in Ukraine, and all international locations within the area are additionally working with the West on tasks resembling cargo transport routes designed to bypass Russia.
