“The gas talks with Uzbekistan continue. They go with difficulties, but we still have hope to haggle the price down,” the Kyrgyz Minister for Industry, Energy and Fuel Recourses Ilias Davydov said in an interview with the news agency “24.kg”, upon arrival from his trip to Tashkent last week.

“The negotiations flow with a great difficulty, but we still hope to come to understanding and talk the Uzbek authorities into bringing the 2009 gas price down. Uzbekistan has actually lowered the price, but not as much as we wanted,” Davydov said.

However, the minister refused to name the offered price until all relevant papers are signed.

Salamat Aitikeev, Director General of the Kyrgyzgaz JSC departs for Tashkent tomorrow with official delegation.

The minister, in turn, said that he was even ready to spend a New Year holiday in Tashkent, in order to settle the gas price issues.

“Honestly speaking, I bought tickets for December 30th, and I ready to go if my presence is required there.”