Russia, Kazakhstan, Discuss Nuclear Cooperation and Increasing Oil/Gas Transits

The Russian Deputy Russian Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev and several other energy officials have been holding discussions with Magzum Mirzagaliyev, advisor to the Kazakh president, and Kazakh Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov. Other officials from the Russian and Kazakh energy ministries also attended. The issues were cooperation in the nuclear and financial sectors, as well as increasing oil and gas transit from Russia.

The two sides discussed cooperation within the OPEC+ framework and the energy sector, including electricity, hydropower and renewables. Three coal-fired thermal power plants will be built in Kazakhstan in the cities of Kokshetau, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk, and two power units at Ekibastuz TPP-2 will be renovated with the involvement of Russian specialists.

Increasing transit of Russian oil and gas through Kazakhstan and the possibility of supplying Russian gas to north and northeast Kazakhstan were discussed, as was the participation of Russian companies in oil projects in Kazakhstan, and potential cooperation in nuclear energy and the financial and banking sectors.

Novak said “Kazakhstan confirms its status as our closest ally and strategic partner. Trade, economic and investment cooperation is going well, and large-scale joint projects are evolving in industrial cooperation, energy, transport infrastructure, agriculture and the digital economy.”

Last week, Russia and Kazakhstan discussed the digitisation of their economies to assist with continuing trade development between them. Both are members of the Eurasian Economic Union and Commonwealth of Independent States. Kazakhstan has also shown interest in joining the BRICS group.