Tajikistan's president proposes building major oil refinery in Central Asia

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has proposed exploring the construction of a large oil refinery in Central Asia, describing energy security as a key priority for the region's long-term development.

Speaking at an informal consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, Rahmon said regional countries should work together to strengthen energy cooperation, local media reports. 

He proposed that the participating countries instruct their relevant ministries to examine the feasibility of building a modern oil refinery equipped with the latest technologies.

"I propose that we instruct our relevant ministries to examine the possibility of constructing a large oil refinery in the region using the latest technologies. In doing so, of course, the domestic needs of the region's countries for critically important petroleum products must be taken into account first and foremost," Rahmon said.

The Tajik president said the initiative reflects the need for joint regional solutions to address energy security, which he described as a crucial factor for sustainable economic development.

By Sabina Mammadli