DUSHANBE. June 7. “Asia-Plus” — “International conference dedicated to water problems in Central Asia will focus on easing of Uzbekistan’s tough position to Tajikistan but this won’t settle these conflicts,” chairman of the Association of Political Analysts of Tajikistan Abdugani Mamadazimov says.
In his interview with Asia-Plus he said that this event has significant practical importance since Tajikistan can use a competent tribune or platform to protect its natural right to continue the construction of Rogun hydropower plant. “Tajik people can not live without electricity anymore and we hope these arguments will be heard,” he added.
Furthermore, expert believes that discussion of these issues at the high level will let the World Bank to speed up the development of the feasibility study for the construction of Rogun HPP.
“However, even despite this fact Uzbekistan will continue to talk about this subject. The problem is that the construction of this facility has turned from technical aspect to political long ago and it seems impossible to reassure Tashkent by means of a single conference. Anyway, this will be a significant ground for Uzbekistan to revise its tough position and requirements,” he said.
According to him, it is very important for Tajikistan to hold such kind of a conference since this year was announced the year of Rogun. According to him, it should be also important for other states since conference participants will present methods, concepts and political steps on how to ease and settle such conflicts between states which occur allover the world.
“Perhaps some Central Asia countries will find a common view on regional consensus. I’m confident that Tajikistan should resuscitate those mechanisms which worked during the times of the Soviet Union. In other words, water in exchange for fuel, water in exchange for additional electricity or other things. But this system should be resuscitated in a new quality,” he added.
