Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekneftegaz intends to become a participant in the project to develop the Shah Deniz gas field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Interfax reports this with reference to the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov.

According to him, Uzbekneftegaz and Azerbaijani SOCAR may sign an agreement in the coming months that will allow the Uzbek side to enter the Shah Deniz project.

The minister noted that companies from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are holding negotiations on the entry of SOCAR into oil and gas production projects in Uzbekistan and Uzbekneftegaz into gas production enterprises in Azerbaijan.

Laziz Kudratov also noted that the parties are still discussing the parties’ share in the projects. The minister expressed hope that the parties would soon sign an agreement.

The minister noted that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will visit Uzbekistan on a state visit and the parties are preparing this visit.

“Of course, we aim to ensure that this visit is filled with specific content. We will count on the agreement being signed during the visit,” he said.

Shah Deniz is the largest gas field in Azerbaijan.