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Russia to construct Central Asia's very first nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan

Russia will construct a little nuclear reactor in Uzbekistan, the very first such project in postSoviet Central Asia, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated on Monday at a meeting with checking out Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The nuclear deal, if executed, will showcase Russia's. ability to export not only energy, however likewise modern products. to brand-new Asian markets, at a time when the West is increasing. pressure on it through sanctions.

Mirziyoyev likewise stated Tashkent was interested in purchasing more. oil and gas from Russia, a turnaround of decades-long practice. where Moscow imported hydrocarbons from Central Asia.

The Uzbek president explained Putin's see as historic.

It declares the start of a brand-new age in the detailed. tactical collaboration and alliance relations between our. countries, he said.

Putin also called Tashkent Moscow's strategic partner and. trusted ally.

The leaders provided no information of the planned nuclear task,. although Mirziyoyev's remarks indicate it has actually been scaled down. from the one they concurred in 2017, however never settled.

There are no nuclear reactor in any of the five. ex-Soviet Main Asian republics, although Uzbekistan and its. neighbour Kazakhstan, both uranium producers, have actually long said. their growing economies required them.

The Kazakh task, nevertheless, can just move ahead after a. national referendum which has not yet been set up.

ENERGY PRODUCT

Making the most of Russia's campaign to redirect its gas. exports to Asia amidst a rift with the West over Ukraine,. Uzbekistan last October started importing Russian natural gas. via the very same pipeline which had actually formerly pumped it in the. reverse direction.

Although its own gas production remains significant at about. 50 billion cubic metres a year, Uzbekistan has a hard time to completely. fulfill domestic demand, and Russian products have enabled it to. prevent an energy crisis.

( Gas) exports are running well ahead of schedule and we are. prepared to increase their volume if needed, Putin said.

According to Mirziyoyev, Tashkent is also keen to increase. imports of Russian oil.

The two leaders likewise stated their governments were working on. big tasks in mining, metals, and chemicals.

Uzbekistan, whose economy depends heavily on remittances. from migrant labourers operating in Russia, has preserved close. ties with Moscow after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Nevertheless, Mirziyoyev and other leaders in the area have. never ever spoken in assistance of what the Kremlin calls its unique. military operation in Ukraine, and all countries in the area. are likewise working with the West on projects such as freight. shipping paths developed to bypass Russia.