Kazakhstan to boost gas supplies to Kyrgyzstan starting from December 19

December 19 Kazakhstan will boost gas supplies to the neighboring Kyrgyzstan, Tengrinews.kz reports. A respective agreement was reached through the telephone talks between the Prime Ministers of the two nations, according to the Kyrgyz Government’s Press Service. “We have come to an agreement with Kazakhstan’s PM on increased gas supplies from Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, the gas will be slightly more expensive than planned as Kazakhstan is facing shortages itself due to severe winter conditions. The Kazakh side has promised to ensure stable supplies”, the Kyrgyz PM Zhantoro Satybaldiyev said following the talks with the Kazakh side. According to the Kyrgyz Vice PM Tairbek Sarpashev, in addition to the current 30 000 cubic meters an hour Kazakhstan will be supplying another 20 000, with the additional volume regulated by a separate contract. Kyrgyzgas reps reported gas supplies to apartment blocks and detached houses would be resumed at noon local time. KazTransGas Kazakhstan’s Gas Shipping Company had limited gas supplies to the north of Kyrgyzstan starting from December 13 due to failed gas supplies from the neighboring Uzbekistan and ensuing gas shortages in the south of Kazakhstan. Most part of Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital city, and the Chu Valley of Kyrgyzstan faced a gas shortage. Kyrgyz deputies stated they would be demanding Kyrgyz Energy Minister A. Kalmanbetov’s resignation, blaming him for the gas collapse. Kyrgysgas Company announced it would bring forward its legal claims to KazTransgas for the failed supplies.