Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday that these areas of cooperation are under consideration, as Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have actually had a single gas transmission system since Soviet times. He added that the three countries have great opportunities for expanding cooperation, in gas production and processing.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that the idea of creating a gas union is timely and in the interests of three countries. There is already a very extensive network across this vast and vital region.