DUSHANBE, June 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- If construction of hydropower plants is a national idea of Tajikistan, the water consumption issue is such an idea for Uzbekistan, Yuri Nagay, an Aide to the Uzbek Ambassador to Tajikistan, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

On the present stances of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan regarding solution to the water-and-energy problem in Central Asia, Mr. Nagay said, “The point is that our countries are not to blame for the present water-and-energy use situation in the region.  This problem is a legacy of the Soviet time, when we were all part of the same country.”

Uzbek diplomat believe that Uzbekistan and Tajikistan now ought to jointly seek solution to the problem rather then raise mutual claims.  “We should listen attentively to each other in order to come to a common opinion,” Nagay said.

He noted that Uzbek authorities were now seriously working on seeking adequate solution to Central Asia’s water-and-energy problem, “while many consider that they allegedly take no measures in this direction.”  “Uzbekistan is now actively working in this direction, considering ways of saving of water resources, introduction of new technologies and so forth,” Nagay said.