DUSHANBE, January 31, Asia-Plus - Russian relevant ministries are currently projecting a government-to-government agreement between the Russian Federation and Tajikistan on completing the construction of the Roghun hydroelectric power station (HPS) in Tajikistan.

Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan Ramazan Abdulatipov made this remark at a news conference in Dushanbe on January 30.  

According to him, the Russian side will submit the draft agreement for consideration to the Tajik government in the near future.  “We want this agreement to be signed this year in order to continue the work on the construction of the Roghun plant under the aegis of our governments,” the ambassador said.   

Abdulatipov added that Tajik officials are aware of this agreement but “they keep silence for some reason.”  

On the present situation around the construction of the Roghun station, Abdulatipov noted, “At present there is no yet a common symphony in this issue.  Each of sides considers that its instrument is better.” 

He stressed that activity of Russian company in Tajikistan and interstate relations are different things.  “Some journalists confuse RusAl (Russian Aluminum) and Russia while they are the different categories,” Russian diplomat noted. 

According to him, if the Russian company has come here [Tajikistan] its leadership should be able to come to an agreement and adapt itself to local conditions.  “For its part, receiving side should also be able to come to an agreement with investor,” Russian diplomat stressed.  

He noted that many journalists have frequently claimed that RusAl’s activity will cause widespread environmental damage, and “they now accuse it of delaying the construction work.”  He noted that some ministers “follow the same way instead of  establishing relations.”    

“I would like to note that the more words around Roghun and RusAl the less chances that the station will be finished,” said Abdulatipov, “We should work more and come to an agreement with each other and the project will be implemented,” the ambassador said.

“The project is under control our presidents and it will be implemented”, Abdulatipov stressed.