DUSHANBE, August 19, 2010, Asia-Plus — Russia’s statement about wish to participate in the CASA 1000 project is just a hollow promise, Tajik expert Zulfiqor Ismoiliyon told Asia-Plus, commenting on a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
We will recall that Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia will consider participating in an ambitious project to deliver electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan. “The presidents paid particular attention to the project, that is currently pending, but they would like to add practical sense to it. The project is called CASA 1000. It envisages the delivery of electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan,” Russia’s foreign minister said during a summit of the heads of state of Russia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Sochi, according to Russia’s RIA Novosti. Russia was invited to participate in the project, Lavrov said, adding Russia would take part in the project under mutually profitable terms.
Ismoiliyon considers that there ought not to think that Moscow is interested in participation in this project. “It is a fallacy to assume that Russia will participate in this project. That is just another promise and there ought not to expect anything from this promise,” the expert said.
“Moscow could join the project long ago, and therefore, taking into consideration that the Kremlin always tries to distance itself from settlement of disagreements between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, one may assume with certainty that Russia’s statement about wish to join the CASA 1000 project is just a hollow promise that will remain unfulfilled,” Ismoiliyon noted.
In the meantime, Tajikistan and Pakistan agreed to fast-track implementation of the CASA-1000 mega project for importing power from Tajikistan and work together for building a trade and energy corridor through Central Asia, Pakistani media reported. The agreement to this effect came during the bilateral meeting between President Emomali Rahmon and Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari in Sochi, Russia on August 18.
The US$680 million Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA 100) envisages the construction of power transmission line to supply summer surplus power from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to the Afghan capital of Kabul and the north west of Pakistan.
