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

Reuters reported on May 27 that Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with his counterpart Mirziyoyev in the capital Tashkent (Uzbekistan) during his third foreign trip since his re-election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on May 27, 2024.

During the meeting, Putin said Russia would invest $400 million in a $500 million joint fund to finance projects in Uzbekistan. Russian nuclear company Rosatom will build six 55-megawatt reactors in Uzbekistan, according to documents released by the Kremlin. But the project is smaller in scale than the 2.4-gigawatt project between Russia and Uzbekistan that was delayed in 2018.

“Almost all leading countries in the world ensure energy security and sustainable development with the help of nuclear energy,” President Mirziyoyev said. He also described Putin’s visit as “historic,” saying it heralded the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations.

In addition to the construction of a nuclear power plant, the two leaders said that Russia and Uzbekistan are implementing major projects in mining, metals and chemicals. "Systematic efforts are being made to increase the volume and expand the range of supplies of agricultural and food products," Putin said, according to Tass.

Both sides also pledged to continue bilateral defense cooperation and enhance interaction between law enforcement and security agencies. In addition, the two leaders also emphasized the positive momentum in developing, exploiting existing potential and addressing economic barriers to facilitate the increase of bilateral trade volume. In addition, the two countries will continue to implement mutually beneficial projects in the field of transport and logistics, ensuring favorable conditions for the growth of goods turnover, according to Tass.

Moscow and Tashkent reportedly signed agreements on new projects worth a total of more than $20 billion during President Putin's visit to Uzbekistan.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-xay-dung-nha-may-dien-hat-nhan-dau-tien-trung-ao-uzbekistan-185240527225921624.htm