Astana and Moscow Discuss Increasing Russian Oil Exports to China Through Kazakhstan

Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov stated that negotiations on boosting Russian oil shipments to China through Kazakhstan are ongoing, with no set deadline for their conclusion, The Caspian Post reports citing Interfax.

"These negotiations are under way as of yet. The Russian side is requesting an additional 2.5 million tonnes. Talks on this issue are being held now. It's 10 million tonnes plus 2.5 million tonnes. This negotiation process has no specific deadline for being concluded. Therefore, as soon as the sides reach mutual consent, we will sign it," Akkenzhenov told journalists on Tuesday.

The talks will take "some time", as the issue requires amendments to the intergovernmental agreement and their subsequent ratification by parliament, he said.