Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has proposed considering the construction of a major oil refinery in Central Asia to strengthen the region’s energy security.

Rahmon made the proposal during the Informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, Azattyqasia reports.

Energy security is a key factor in the region’s sustainable development and requires joint solutions from Central Asian countries.

Rahmon called on the relevant authorities to study the possibility of building a large-scale refinery in the region using the latest technologies.

He stressed that the project should primarily take into account the domestic needs of Central Asian countries for critical petroleum products.

The proposed refinery could potentially strengthen regional energy cooperation, improve the security of fuel supplies and reduce vulnerabilities linked to dependence on external sources.

Rahmon urged the participating countries to task their relevant agencies with examining the project and assessing the opportunities for its implementation.