Kazakhstan Suspends Fuel Oil Exports to Kyrgyzstan

Text of report by Russian internet news agency Regnum, specializing in regional reporting

A shortage of Kazakhstan’s energy resources is the reason behind the suspension of fuel oil supplies to Kyrgyzstan, the press service of Elektricheskiye Stantsii [Electric Stations] open joint-stock company has told the Regnum news agency correspondent.

The Kazakh side has suspended fuel oil supplies to Kyrgyzstan because of a temporary ban on the export of fuel oil by the Kazakh Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the press service says. The Kyrgyzneftegaz [Kyrgyz oil and gas] open joint-stock company now remains the only supplier of fuel oil to Kyrgyzstan’s thermoelectric power stations and boiler-houses.

Astana says the export ban has been imposed due to the complicated situation in the fuel supply sector within Kazakhstan – cold weather and limited gas supplies from Uzbekistan.

Originally published by Regnum news agency, Moscow, in Russian 0714 15 Feb 08.

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