Taalaibek Ibraev: Kyrgyzstan plans to increase imports of oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan — INTERVIEW

Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan are actively developing cooperation in the energy sector, including oil and petroleum product supplies, and are also implementing joint projects in hydropower. In an interview with Report, Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan Taalaibek Ibraev spoke about existing contracts with SOCAR and plans to increase fuel supply volumes from Azerbaijan, as well as prospects for further expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

- Earlier you spoke about Kyrgyzstan's interest in oil supplies from Azerbaijan and negotiations with SOCAR. What progress has been achieved in this direction?

- Our oil traders already have existing contracts with the company (SOCAR – ed.) for the supply of oil and petroleum products, and these contracts are ongoing at present.

I have a bilateral meeting scheduled with the president of SOCAR in the near future, during which I intend to raise the issue of increasing oil and petroleum product supplies to the Kyrgyz Republic - approximately up to 20,000-30,000 tons of gasoline and diesel fuel per month. Considering that field work has started and the tourist season is approaching, consumption of fuel and lubricants in our country will increase. Therefore, we will request an increase in supply volumes within the framework of previously reached agreements.

We are ready to further develop cooperation with SOCAR. We have friendly and constructive relations, and I would like to separately thank the leadership of Azerbaijan headed by President Ilham Aliyev. Thanks to political support at the level of heads of state, truly brotherly relations have been formed between our countries.

I would also like to note that a land plot was allocated to Azerbaijan on Lake Issyk-Kul, where the construction of an Azerbaijani hotel is currently being completed - the facility is almost fully supplied with electricity from our side.

We also have good working relations with the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan.

- In December 2025, deepening cooperation between SOCAR and the fuel and energy complex structures of Kyrgyzstan was discussed within the framework of the intergovernmental commission. At what stage are negotiations today on the transition from supplies of fuel and lubricants (POL) to joint projects in the field of exploration, production and processing of energy resources?

I was previously in Azerbaijan at COP29 (in November 2024 – ed.). Each of our meetings with the Azerbaijani side is active and productive. I believe we will continue cooperation in the energy sector. Therefore, I am confident that in the future you will hear that our countries will work together actively in the energy direction.

- Kyrgyzstan announced its intention to join the green corridor project implemented between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. At what stage is the discussion on Kyrgyzstan's accession to this initiative today?

- We now need to agree with all three countries, and I hope our energy ministers understand this, and we will definitely participate in this project.

- Are negotiations underway on the participation of Azerbaijani companies in investment projects in the energy sector in Kyrgyzstan?

- We have a number of energy projects, mainly hydropower plants. Today or tomorrow we will hold a meeting with an Azerbaijani company that is also interested in participating in the construction of hydropower plants.

We are open to cooperation and invite all interested parties. We have large projects, and as you know, our country is rich in water resources, so the main focus is on hydropower development.

On our side, we also take into account the potential of Azerbaijan, which produces a significant amount of energy equipment, including cable products.

- At what stage is the implementation of the construction project of the Kambarata HPP-1?

- Kambarata HPP-1 is a national strategic megaproject aimed at strengthening energy security of the region and increasing the stability of energy systems of Central Asia, including issues of water-energy balance. At present we are working on an agreement between the three countries.