DUSHANBE, November 10, Asia-Plus — State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran were discussed at a meeting of President Emomali Rahmon with visiting Iranian Energy Minister Said Parviz Fattah in Dushanbe on November 10.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Rahmon, Fattah said that bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, industry and transportation had been the focus of the his meeting with the Tajik head of state.
“Yesterday, I visited the site for construction of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectricity power station (HPS),” said the minister, “The work on construction of the plant is carried out in accordance with schedule.”
He also informed journalists of Tajik president’s request for speeding up the construction of the Sangtuda-2 station and introduce it into operation before the stipulated date. “Early introduction of the plant into operation is in interest of both countries and we are ready to meet the Tajik government’s half-way,” the minister said.
He further added that a protocol will be signed with Tajik Energy and Industries Minister today under which relevant bodies of the two countries will be given three months to study the possibility of speeding up the construction work at the site.
Asked about delivery of turbines for the Sangtuda-2 HPS, Fattah noted that under the project the turbines should 9 meters in diameter, while Iranian enterprises produce six meter diameter turbines and few enterprises specialize in production of nine meter diameter turbines. “This issue requires coordination with specialists,” Fattah said.
The minister also noted that his country is ready to provide assistance in completing construction of the Roghun hydropower plant, if Tajik side will request for that.
Fattah told journalists that he had also visited the site for construction of the Chormaghzak tunnel. “The issue of beginning of construction of this facility will be resolved within two months,” the minister said.
According to him, work on the ventilation part of the Istiqlol (Anzob) tunnel is nearing completion, and “the tunnel will be completely put into operation very soon.”
Asked about a progress of implementation of projects within the framework of activity of the Tajik-Iranian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation, Fattah, who is also co-chairman of this commission, said that projects aimed at expansion of cooperation between the two countries in sectors such as finance, customs, education and culture are being implemented successfully. “Trade between the two countries is increasing year in and all arising problems are being tackled efficiently,” the minister said.
Sangttuda-2 is one of the major projects of Tajikistan, being constructed relying on Iran”s investment and cooperation. Based on an agreements reached with the Iranian government, the Iranian engineering companies are commissioned to complete Sangtuda power plant by the year 2011, but the Tajik officials wish it could be put into operation by 2010, due to sever energy problems they are already engaged with. The 220 megawatt Sangtuda-2 power plant is being constructed relying on Iran”s 230 million US dollar investment some 110 kilometers to the southeast of Dushanbe. The executive engineering firm working over the project is Iran”s Sangab Company. In accordance with the reached agreement, a part of this power plant”s electricity would be transited to Iran.
