DUSHANBE, February 3, 2009, Asia-Plus — Deputy of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) also leader of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT) Muhiddin Kabiri predicts that Tajik delegation’s visit to Moscow and its participation at sessions of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) will be uneasy.
“Bearing in mind the recent relative chill in relationship between the countries, they sides ought not to focus attention on Russian president’s comments on the construction of hydropower plants in the Central Asian region and Tajik MFA’s note over his comments,” Kabiri said.
We will recall that Tajikistan handed a note to Russia’s official representative in Dushanbe expressing concern about Russia President Dmitry Medvedev’s comments on construction of hydropower plants in the region. During his visit to Uzbekistan, Medvedev said on January 23 that all plans on the construction of new hydropower plants in the region should approved by all the Central Asian countries. If there is no a common agreement of all sides, Russia will refrain from participating in such projects, Russian leader added.
“The sides should determine mutual relations and priorities of further cooperation both in bilateral format and within frames of the CSTO and the EAEC from other perspective,” said the IRPT leader, “Thereby, the sides will be able to avoid misunderstandings in the future, solving the uneasy situation that emerged. In any case, both states – Russia and Tajikistan – need each other, you know.”
Kabiri noted that official Dushanbe should find out “final position of the Kremlin on projects in Tajikistan.”
