The Prime-Minister of Tajikistan, Aqil Aqilov stated that the usage of own water and energy resources by Tajikistan was never and will never be in the detriment of downstream countries. He made the statement during a press-conference at the end of the high level International Conference on Water Cooperation, held in Dushanbe on 20-21 August.

The Tajik Prime-Minister said: “Tajikistan has a large water and energy potential. However, despite this to date we cannot provide the national economy with energy resources all year round.”

He continued: “We are forced to limit electricity supply for the population, industrial plants, and generally for social assets in fall and winter. Therefore we believe that there should be an objective approach to the region’s water and energy issues, considering current realities.”

Mr. Aqilov noted that hosting international events is done so that countries not build their policies based on claims against each other, but solved the issues in coherent ways on the basis of mutually acceptable solutions.