DUSHANBE, April 22, Asia-Plus — Issues related to implementation of agreements reached during Ukrainian president’s visit to Tajikistan were discussed at a session of the Tajik-Ukrainian working group that was held in Kiev, Ukraine on April 21, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).
The source at a MoEI said that Tajik government delegation led by Energy and Industries Minister Gul Sherali has been in Kiev since April 20 and it will stay there until April 25. During its stay in Kiev, the delegation has also considered cooperation issues that will be documented by the sides at a two-day session of the Tajik-Ukrainian commission for trade and economic cooperation that is expected to be held in Dushanbe from May 15-16.
In the meantime, some Ukrainian media report that the Tajik delegation members are also scheduled to visit the cities of Kharkov, Sumy and Vyshgorod to familiarize themselves with activities of a number of enterprises of the Ukrainian energy-and-fuel complex.
Ukrainian Daily, in particular, reported that speaking at the meeting in Kiev, Ukraine’s Regional Development and Construction Minister Vasily Kubiyda had noted that they had also discussed the possibility of participation of the Ukrainian enterprises and companies in implementation of large-scale projects aimed at enhancement of energy sector, modernization and construction of aluminum smelters in Tajikistan.
According to him, Ukrainian specialists are ready to participate in completing construction of hydropower plants in Tajikistan, rehabilitation of heat and power stations and construction of new enterprises for Tajik mechanical engineering, chemical and processing industries.
We will recall that Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on March 7 in Dushanbe at the end of a state visit to Tajikistan. Yushchenko oversaw the signing of 10 new bilateral accords, dealing with issues including cooperation in the energy and transport sectors. The Ukrainian leader noted Ukraine”s role in supplying equipment” to Tajik hydroelectric facilities, pointing out that Ukrainian companies account for over 80 percent of hydroelectric equipment imports to Tajikistan. He also announced that Ukraine has decided to participate in an international consortium to complete the construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power station. The two leaders concluded their meeting by signing an official action plan guiding bilateral relations for 2008-09.
