The Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in Ankara to inform that due to the shortage of electricity and negligible gas and oil deposits in Tajikistan, the economy of the country constantly bears dramatic losses and the population of country faces severe difficulties in terms of power and gas supply, that is a pressing problem even in winter as the people are supplied for seveal hours a day only.
                 At the same time, the Republic of Tajikistan is among the richest countries for its hydropower resources (527 billion kilowatt). However, the country uses 5% of its resources only. Herein, to cope with the problem of power consumption, Tajikistan attaches a great importance to hydroelectric development in the country. 
                 Meanwhile, the appeal of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on suspending the completion of construction works on a vital Rogun Hydropower Plant in Tajikistan that was published in Mass Media in early February, 2010 is considered by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan as an attempt to mislead the general public and empede progress in Tajikistan. A letter of response with comprehansive answers to all questions was sent in February 6 by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan sent to his Uzbek counterpart.      
                 The letter, in particular states, that no project being implemented in Tajikistan is against any country and herein, and with the a glance to regional interests we are ready to closely cooperate with the neighbor countries.      
                 Two years ago the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan called on the World Bank to assist in holding the feasibility study of the Rogun Hydropower Plant. As of today, in January and September 2009 the World Bank has twicely conducted required consultations with the Governments of all Central Asian countries, as well as with the interested ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan thus, all remarks including on dam safety and environmental and social aspects have been covered by the target specification of the project feasibility study.
                 I have officialy appealed to Your Excellency (No 23.1/2-10 of December 19, 2007) as well as to all counterparts in the region to join the international consortium on construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant. Nevertherless, we have received no response even after the second appeal sent to Your Excellency (No 14/2-52 of September 25, 2008), while other Central Asian countries have expressed their interest in” the Tajik Prime Minister noted. “We still consider the regional consortium, a draft concept of which was eleborated seven years ago and that was endorsed by all Central Asian countries except Uzbekistan as an efficient mechanism for coordination of water and power issues in Central Asia”
                 In his letter of response, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. A.Akilov has also covered the background that made Tajik authorities to take the decision on completion of construction works in Rogun Hydropower Plant. He has also stressed that Tajikistan takes into account the environmental protection issues, water balance and anthropogenic accidents as well as the fact that construction of such objects on inside rivers is a sovereign right of a state and it fully complies with the İnternational Law.                
                 “At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan expresses its readiness to discuss all issues on the project and therein is ready to receive a competent delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Dushanbe in the near future,” Mr. A.Akilov noted.