Japarov: If Gazprom Does Not Gasify Kyrgyzstan, I Will Take Over Gas Like Kumtor

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said at a meeting on 3 November with residents of the Aitmatov and Manas districts of Talas region that, if Gazprom does not gasify the country, he will take over the gas system as he did with Kumtor and do the work himself.

Kurmanbek Takeev, a resident of Semetey village, asked Japarov to gasify the border Manas district. Japarov replied that Kyrgyzstan is not the owner of the gas system and cannot dispose of it. He said Gazprom is the owner and that, as he understood it, the system was sold until 2039 for $1. He recalled that in 2013 it was said, “We don't need Kyrgyzgaz, we need gas,” and the system was sold.

Japarov said that for now, gas issues in Kyrgyzstan can only be resolved with Gazprom. The agreement contains clauses requiring Gazprom to allocate funds for gasifying the whole country, but these have not yet been implemented. He said he has raised the issue with Gazprom for two or three years, warning that if it is not done he will take it over like Kumtor, but he cannot promise this until gas is transferred to Kyrgyzstan.