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Uzbek Envoy to Brussels Grants Credentials to King of Belgians
15.03.2010 09:34
Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of Belgium Bakhtiyar Gulyamov granted his credentials to the King of the Belgians Albert II.
In the conversation that followed the ceremony the sides discussed the state and prospects of bilateral relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kingdom of Belgium in political and trade-economic spheres.
In particular, the sides have spoken of the potential for further deepening and expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation, enhancing political and economic contacts, as well as developing the cultural ties and tourism.
The King of the Belgians Albert II expressed sincere wishes of well being and successes to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and entire nation of Uzbekistan.
Prior to his appointment Ambassador Gulyamov served as an Uzbek Envoy to Germany.
Information Agency “Jahon” with the Embassy of Uzbekistan to Brussels contributed to this reporting
Independent International Examination of the Rogun Hydropower Station Construction Is Needed
23.02.2010 10:11
As it is well-known, the leadership of Tajikistan adopted a decision to resume the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Station yet started in the 80s, i.e. after more than a 25-year-long recess.
Such decision could not but aroused the gravest concern if to take into account that the design documentation on this facility, which was drafted about 40 years ago based on the standards, design and engineering decisions of those years, has already become obsolete and requires revision and improvement.
One could understand such decision if the resumption of construction of such most powerful and the most complex hydropower facility as the Rogun Hydropower Station would be started only after having a comprehensive examination of the design documentations of this facility on the part of an international independent expert commission, which would include the highly qualified specialists competent in this sphere.
Moreover, such appraisal is necessary if to take into account that the undertaking of an independent audit and independent assessment has not been practiced during the Soviet time, when the project had been drafted.
The leadership of the World Bank has numerously stated at its highest level that it had agreed to institute the international commission of independent experts to conduct the necessary research on construction of the Rogun Hydropower Station.
Here is what the President of the World Bank Robert Zoellick wrote in his response letter dated April 15, 2009 to the request by the President of Uzbekistan: “The research (on the project) will be conducted by internationally recognized consulting companies, which will be hired in line with the World Bank procedures.
According to our internal procedures the Bank shall institute the international commission of independent experts, which shall draw an independent conclusion on the outcomes of research.
With a purpose of ensuring transparency and taking into account the issues, which arouse concern of all interested parties, the World Bank will continue to hold consultations with all interested countries during 2009-2010, as the results of research will be prepared and considered by an independent commission of experts, as well as by interested countries”.
Objectively assessing the unfolding situation around construction of the Rogun Hydropower Station, in its letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Tajikistan A.Akylov dated February 3 this year the Uzbek side asked to once again consider the issue of undertaking a mandatory international independent competent appraisal of the project of constructing this hydropower facility.
However, the response letter by the prime minister testifies to the fact that the Government of Tajikistan is not set towards and does not see reasonability of conducting such appraisal.
Further, the prime minister believes the consultations which the World Bank has preliminarily held with interested governments of the region to be rather sufficient with regard to designing the technical feasibility in terms of conducting the full-scale research and examination of the Rogun Hydropower Station project. In connection with which the premier does not see the need of further cooperating with the World Bank on this issue.
Yet another assertion of the prime minister that in 2006 the German company “Lahmeyer” made an examination of the Rogun Hydropower Station commissioned by the Russian company Rusal is contrary to fact.
The agreement signed between the “Rusal” Company and “Lahmeyer” envisaged the development of a technical feasibility study for construction of the hydroelectric power station, but not conducting a full examination of the project.
In fact, the company “Lahmeyer” did not and could not engage in the issues of environmental and anthropogenic safety since this company is not intended to undertake such things.
One has to emphasize time and again that the Uzbek side sees the purpose and rationale for conducting the objective international expertise of the project of the Rogun Hydropower Station, firstly, to avoid such anthropogenic catastrophes as it took place in 2009 at the Sajano-Shushenskaya Hydropower Station.
The project of this world’s largest hydropower station was elaborated by the same institutions in the same years as the project of the Rogun Hydropower Station. Although the height of the dam at the Sajano-Shushenskaya Hydropower Station is significantly lower than the expected dam at the Rogun, and adding to that, there never occur such devastating earthquakes in the Siberian area, as in Tajikistan.
If we take into account the 10-point seismicity and tectonic fault of the selected zone for construction of the Rogun Hydropower Station, it is not difficult to foresee the consequences of a possible catastrophe caused by a break of the dam with its height of about 350 meters.
Along with this challenge, the examination must determine the scope and limits of environmental changes and disturbances of water balance in the vast Central Asian region as a result of construction of the Rogun Hydropower Station. The extreme importance of this problem becomes clear if we imagine the unstable and fragile state of environmental and water balances, as well as the problems experienced by the region in terms of drying up of the Aral Sea.
Absolutely reasonable question emerges: what does prevent the Government of Tajikistan to agree to hold the independent international expertise of the Rogun Hydropower Station – the grandiose hydropower facility on its scale – in full accordance with international norms?
Moreover, the Tajik side will bear no costs for this, since the World Bank is going to allocate a grant for these purposes.
This begs only one answer. If a full international independent expertise indeed confirms the large-scale risks that might contain in the project, then it will be needed to review and improve the project, or perhaps, the legality and appropriateness of enormous costs meant for constructing the facility may be called in question.
Assessing the unfolding situation, the Uzbek side still hopes that yet it will be able to convince the Tajik side in terms of the need to hold the international independent expertise of the Rogun Hydropower Station and only after that to continue constructing it.
A simple logic and common sense requires this.
On the Outcomes of the South Korean – Uzbek Summit
11.02.2010 11:11
On February 10 to 12 this year on the invitation of the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov pays a State visit to the Republic of Korea.
This visit serves as a reciprocal visit to the State visit on the part of the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak to the Republic of Uzbekistan, which took place in May 2009.
Thus, on February 11 in the atmosphere of friendship the President Lee Myung-bak and President Islam Karimov held their summit in Seoul. The presidents exchanged views on the issues of development and consolidation of bilateral, regional and international cooperation of mutual interest.
The heads of two states said they were pleased of consistent development of the bilateral relations in political, economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres, and have once again confirmed their will to cooperate with a view of filling the bilateral strategic partnership with real substance.
The sides praised expansion of the mutually beneficial cooperation in the oil and gas, petrochemical, construction, information and technological, agrarian, environmental, and textile sectors, and have agreed to reinforce the support of businesses.
The presidents also praised expanding cooperation of South Korea and Uzbekistan in the energy and raw sector testified by the agreement on undertaking geological exploration works at the additional Western-Ferghana and Chinabad blocs, signed in honor of marking the visit paid by the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea, and serves as a continuation of the cooperation launched earlier at the Namangan-Chust bloc.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak welcomed the project of construction of the gas and chemical complex on the basis of Surgil Deposit, which thanks to signing of the “Basic investment agreement” saw its key phase of implementation, and have agreed to further extend cooperation in the sphere of “green development”, and in particular, on the project of a liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The presidents believed that the project of developing the Navoi Free Industrial and Economic Zone is a perspective direction of the bilateral cooperation, and have agreed to continue to engage in comprehensive cooperation with a goal of successful implementation of this project.
The heads of the two states were unanimous in the idea that the combination of potentials of the Navoi international logistics center, now managed by Korean Air, and the Navoi Free Industrial and Economic Zone should create the most favorable conditions for quick deliveries of products to international markets through the multi-modal logistical network of air, rail and road transportations, as well as will generate a value added cost.
President Lee Myung-bak noted the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea on increasing support in the sphere of medicine and healthcare, education, new renewable sources of energy, industry and infrastructure as a part of the Official development assistance (ODA).
Also, the South Korean president told that Uzbekistan has been chosen as a key state, which would receive support as a part of the Knowledge sharing program (KSP) in 2010 and dwelled on the plans of active sharing of the Korean development experience in managing macro-economy, promoting innovations, export and investments.
President Islam Karimov praised the successful model of economic development of the Republic of Korea and thanked its Government for the assistance in social and economic development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The heads of the two states agreed that they would promote further consolidation of exchange and cooperation in the sphere of culture, sport and tourism.
The presidents welcomed signing of protocol of intentions on creating the Seoul Park in the city of Tashkent and were unanimous in the idea the project of establishing the Park would promote deepening of understanding and reinforcing friendship between the two nations.
President Lee Myung-bak has thanked the Government of Uzbekistan for supporting the candidature of the city of Pyeongchang to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. President Islam Karimov hoped that the Republic of Korea, which enjoys the rich experience in hosting various international sport events, may hold the 2018 Winter Olympics with success.
The leaders shared their understanding of that full and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea was an important condition of preserving peace and stability in the Northeast Asia.
President Islam Karimov supported the stance of the Government of the Republic of Korea in its strife to settle the North Korean nuclear problem by way of soonest resumption of the six-party talks.
The heads of two states, as they wished the soonest stabilization of situation in Afghanistan, have agreed to effectively cooperate in international projects directed to recovering the economy and public order in Afghanistan.
The sides agreed to continue the close cooperation in the United Nations and other international structures. President Islam Karimov has highly assessed the contribution being made by the Government of the Republic of Korea to overcoming the global financial crisis, including hosting the G20 Summit in Seoul.
President Islam Karimov has thanked the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korean people for a warm welcome during his visit to the Republic of Korea.
The heads of two states believed that the current visit by President Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea, which served as a logical continuation of the visit of President Lee Myung-bak to the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2009, would consolidate the friendship and trust, and would promote strengthening of the bilateral practical cooperation. The presidents have also agreed to honestly execute the agreements achieved during this Summit.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov invited the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak to pay a reciprocal visit to Uzbekistan at a time of his convenience. The invitation has been received with gratitude. The date of visit shall be coordinated through diplomatic channels.
February 11, 2010
Seoul
Uzbek Prime Minister Writes to his Tajik Colleague on Rogun Hydrolelectric Power Station
updated 06.02.2010 14:44
On February 3 this year the “Pravda Vostoka” Russian-language national newspaper, as much as other Uzbek-language print media, published the letter by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to his Tajik counterpart – the Prime Minister Akil Akilov.
Here is the full text of the said address by the head of the Uzbek Government – as has been translated from Russian at the Information Agency “Jahon”.
***
Unofficial translation
Mr. Akil Akilov,
The Prime Minister of the
Republic of Tajikistan
Dear Mr. Akilov,
I am addressing You on the issue directly related to the interests of all countries in the Central Asian region. The point is about the construction project of the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station.
As You are well aware, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has not once addressed the Governments of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation, as well as international organizations on the necessity of conducting the independent examination of construction of the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station, which was started yet in 80s, during the so-called grand Soviet constructions period.
The principle position of the Republic of Uzbekistan on this issue is that prior to resuming the construction of the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station it is necessary to have the project go through a detailed and independent examination, since it was designed about 40 years ago on the basis of outdated designing, engineering and technological decisions.
As we deeply believe, it is necessary to have an impartial and qualified evaluation of possible consequences of constructing such a grand in its scope facility as the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station, with attaching a prior attention to the following:
- The damage that this project may inflict to the region’s already fragile ecological balance due to the consequences of the Aral Sea disaster;
- The project’s impact on the volume and water-flow management of the Amudarya River, since the survival of millions of people in the region with sharp continental desert climate, directly depends on the availability of potable and irrigating water, particularly during the systematically recurrent water-shortage periods;
- The extent of the project’s protection from anthropogenic risks, firstly, from a threat of powerful earthquakes since the planned construction area of the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station is in high seismicity zone on the tectonic break line, where the trembles with a magnitude up to 10 occurred more than once. It is hard to conceive the scope of a humanitarian disaster which could be caused by a dam breach with losses of hundred of thousands of people.
This threat is enhanced, in as much as accidents, which pose a real menace for the entire region, are oftentimes occurring at such hydropower facilities as Toktogul and Nurek hydroelectric power stations, built more than 35 years ago and where major-reconstructing works have not been implemented for over the last 20 years
The recent Sajano-Shushenskaya Power Station accident has vividly manifested these disastrous effects, which could be caused by serious oversights and flaws made in planning and constructing the largest hydropower facilities.
The legitimacy of Uzbekistan’s position on this issue is unambiguously supported by such authoritative international organizations and financial institutions as the United Nations, European Union, World, Asian and Islamic development banks, as well as the Russian Federation and its public circles, as well as other countries.
However, despite our repeated appeals on this issue, there occurs their full ignorance on the part of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, which has not viewed possible after-effects and the proper planning and technical support, but yet continues to speedily undertake construction of this facility.
Having said that, under contract for this work a number of Russian design and building-assembly organizations are involved, which, obviously, are less interested in possible negative effects caused by this construction.
By addressing You, we ask to come back once again to the issue of conducting independent examination under the aegis of the UN and its relevant institutions, which can impartially evaluate both the validity of the project itself and all its possible after-effects, including problems of environment, water balance, threats of anthropogenic disasters and continue planning and constructing the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station only after receiving proper response to all questions.
The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan hopes that reasonable approaches shall prevail on this issue, which is vitally important for a stable development of our region.
In case the position of Uzbekistan is further ignored, we reserve the right to appeal on this issue to the international community and world environmental organizations in order to prevent possible catastrophic consequences of implementation of this project.
Sincerely,
Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
Prime Minister of the
Republic of Uzbekistan