Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 18
By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:
The Gazprom Kyrgyzstan company has paid off to KazTransGas the long-term debt amounting to $41.6 million for the previously purchased natural gas, the press service of the Kazakh company reported.
This debt was formed in 2004, for the consumption of gas, which Kazakhstan transported through the Kyrgyz territory. Within the framework of the previously signed contracts, a part of the fuel was taken up by Kyrgyzstan for its needs. However, over ten years, the Kyrgyz side had been unable to repay the debt to its neighbor, even though KazTransGas repeatedly warned about its intentions to cease gas supply to the republic.
The situation got off the ground only after the largest Russian concern Gazprom, which is in a close partnership with KazTransGas, entered the Kyrgyz market. Prior to this, the company (namely Chairman of the Board Kairat Sharipbayev) held a series of complex negotiations, during which it was offered a variety of options for repayment of the old debt. But its monetary equivalent was not specified in the list of proposals.
"Back in 2010, the Kazakh side considered various options of debt relief, having lost all hope of receiving the money," the statement reads. "Eventually, the perseverance of KazTransGas made it possible to achieve repayment of quite impressive amounts."
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