The Kyrgyz government should demand payment from Uzbekistan for the use of the Northern Sokh and Chongara-Galcha gas and oil fields located in Batken region. Deputy Beyshenaly Nurdinov stated this at a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex and Subsoil Use, 24.kg reports.

The MP said that Uzbekistan has been using the gas and oil fields in Kyrgyzstan for 30 years.

“Kyrgyzstan is dependent on imported fuels and lubricants. But our deposits are being used by neighboring countries. Why haven’t these wells been returned to this day? Let Uzbekistan pay for Kyrgyz oil. Take money at least for using the pipe,” the deputy said.

Deputy Chairman of the State Property Management Fund Meder Mashiyev noted that the issue of using these deposits is being considered by the state commission on delimitation and demarcation of the border.

 “As far as I know, there is no more gas, there is very little oil left,” Meder Mashiyev said.

The publication notes that this issue has been raised in the Jogorku Kenesh several times since 2010. On May 13, 2011, the deputies banned the transportation of fuels and lubricants to Uzbekistan and transferred the enterprises to the jurisdiction of Kyrgyzneftegaz.

The Jogorku Kenesh decree noted that the deposits are located inside the territory of Kyrgyzstan.