DUSHANBE, February 16, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Uzbekistan does not rule out the possibility of participating in construction of large hydroelectric power plants (HPP) in neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, the source at the Uzbek Embassy in Dushanbe said.

The source said that Uzbek President Islam Karimov remarked that, while addressing the Uzbek government meeting in Tashkent on February 13.  “In case of positive results of international water-and-ecological examinations, Uzbekistan may participate in construction of large HPPs in neighboring countries, including Tajikistan.” Karimov noted, according to the source.

According to the Uzbek diplomatic mission, the Uzbek head of state noted that each state had the right to construct large HPPs in order to produce cheap electrical power but ecological and water problems that might arise in downstream countries should be taken into consideration.