DUSHANBE, April 3, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- A statement Russian Vice-Premier Sergey Ivanov that plans to construct large hydropower plants in Central Asia should be approved  by all countries of the region does not mean anything, Tajik political scientist Parviz Mullojonov said, commenting on a recent visit of the Russian vice-premier to Tashkent.

We will recall that during a visit to Uzbekistan, Sergey Ivanov noted on March 31 that Russia’s position regarding the construction of large hydroelectric power plants in Central Asia remains invariable.

Asked about Russia’s position on the construction of the Roghun HPP in Tajikistan and the Kambar-Ata HPP in Kyrgyzstan as well as water balance among Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the Russian official said, “Plans to construct large hydropower stations in Central Asia should be approved by all the neighboring countries.”  

We will recall that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said during his visit to Tashkent in January 2009 that all plans on the construction of new hydropower stations should be approved by all the Central Asian countries.

According to Mullojonov, Russian has not yet drawn up any specific position on the construction of the Roghun and Kamabr-Ata HPPs and “in their statements, high-ranking Russian state officials are proceedings from the fact in what country they are at the moment.”

“When they arrive in Tashkent they make one statements, while being in Dushanbe or Bishkek they make quite another statements,” said the Tajik expert, “Today, Ivanov has to settle some issues in Tashkent and being there, he will say what Uzbekistan likes.  Tomorrow, for example, he will travel to Bishkek to settle some issues and he will support Kyrgyzstan’s position.”

He added despite Russian officials’ comments on the construction of hydropower stations in the region, a number of Russian companies are involved in the construction of the Roghun HPP in Tajikistan.

“Anyway, Tajikistan is within the zone of Russia’s geopolitical influence and it will be profitable to our country if Russia supports our position,” Mullojonov said.            

We will recall that Uzbekistan has long opposed the Roghun hydroelectricity project, but Tajik officials are committed to building the station despite Uzbek concerns.

Landlocked Uzbekistan relies on its neighbors for water supplies and for transit routes to export its energy resources, while Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are the region''s two major water suppliers.