Washington Signals Interest in Uzbekistan’s Nuclear Energy Sector

The United States has expressed interest in cooperating with Uzbekistan on civil nuclear energy investments, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated following a February 21 phone call between Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Secretary Rubio spoke with Foreign Minister Saidov to reaffirm U.S. support for Uzbekistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. They discussed ongoing cooperation through the C5+1 platform to promote stability and economic growth in Central Asia. Secretary Rubio also thanked Uzbekistan for its efforts in controlling illegal migration and counterterrorism cooperation. The U.S. looks forward to exploring investment opportunities in critical minerals and civil nuclear energy technologies,” the statement read. U.S. Expands Nuclear Energy Engagement in Central Asia The United States has previously shown interest in participating in nuclear energy projects in Central Asia, including the construction of a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Kazakhstan. During an October 2024 visit to Almaty, Khush Choksi, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, emphasized America’s readiness to take part in Kazakhstan’s nuclear energy sector. “The U.S. has the best technologies for nuclear power plants, and we hope there will be an open tender allowing American companies to participate,” Choksi told reporters. Strategic Energy Cooperation Washington’s interest in nuclear energy partnerships with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan reflects its broader strategy to expand energy cooperation in Central Asia. The region’s growing demand for energy security, technological development, and investment in clean energy solutions aligns with U.S. efforts to strengthen economic ties and counterbalance the influence of other global energy players.

Kazakhstan and Hungary Reach Preliminary Deal on Oil Supply via Druzhba Pipeline

Kazakhstan and Hungary have reached a preliminary agreement on the supply of Kazakh crude oil to Hungary via the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline system through Russia. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy, the agreement was reached during a meeting in Astana on February 17 between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. The two sides agreed to conduct test oil shipments in 2025. Kazakhstan already supplies oil to Germany through the Druzhba pipeline. The ministers also discussed cooperation between Kazakhstan’s national oil and gas company, KazMunayGas, and Hungary’s MOL Group in developing the Rozhkovskoye gas condensate field in western Kazakhstan. MOL Group has invested $200 million in the development of this major field and has previously expressed interest in processing Kazakh oil at Hungarian refineries. On the same day in Astana, Szijjártó held talks with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu. The foreign ministers reviewed trade and economic relations, noting that bilateral trade turnover increased by 4.4% last year, reaching nearly $200 million. Both sides agreed to take additional measures to achieve the goal set by their leaders, to expand trade to $1 billion, according to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry. Key topics of discussion included: The opening of Hungarian bank branches in Kazakhstan The construction of a multimodal cargo terminal in Budapest Expanding exports of Kazakh uranium and critical minerals The ministers also highlighted plans to launch a direct air connection between Shymkent, Kazakhstan’s third-largest city, and Budapest in May 2025. The new route is expected to further strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two nations. Since 2005, Hungarian direct investments in Kazakhstan have exceeded $370 million, reflecting the deepening economic partnership between the two countries.