The letter of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Дата публикации: Apr 05, 2012 7:30:53 AM

To the Prime Minister

of the Republic of Tajikistan

A.G.Akylov

Dear Akyl Ghaybullayevich,

By thoroughly learning the substance of Your message of March 31, 2012, we would like to inform that on the issues raised in that letter we have numerously given the exhaustive answers and explanations through letters №06/15-2695 of November 2, 2009, №05/15-845 of July 25, 2011, №12/37510 of December 15, 2011 and №02/15-217 of March 30, 2012.

Their essence and substance are as follows:

First, the fact that Uzbekistan has left the so-called “Unified energy system of Central Asia” is related, firstly, to that it was established in the Soviet period as a part of the unified energy system of the USSR and in the post-Soviet period it has demonstrated its incapacity given the lack of real mechanisms of its normal operation that threaten with anthropogenic accidents, as well as given regular unauthorized pull-out of electric power by Tajikistan from neighboring countries. Secondly, Uzbekistan took such a decision in the aftermath of decisions taken by Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan which have earlier gradually announced about their departure from the “Unified energy system of Central Asia”.

Second, As much as the railway connection is concerned, it should be underscored that during the years of independence Uzbekistan has consistently ensured and continues to ensure along the network of its railroads the uninterrupted transit of the Tajik goods. The forced stoppage for a short period of time of the transit of goods in the branch line Galaba-Amuzang was related to tragic events of November 2011, which You are also aware of.

It is also necessary to keep in mind that full wear of the railroad bed which was built more than 50 years ago and often breakdowns don’t permit to utilize its traffic capacity for more than 10 percent and ensure its further safe operation.

Nevertheless, despite these circumstances, all goods bound to the Khatlon section of the Tajik railroad are uninterruptedly transited to other sections of Tajikistan’s railroad though the interstate butting area of Kudukly and there are no delays in travel of railroad coaches along this direction.

Third, I would like also to inform that rise of tariffs is a forced measure as much as a reciprocal move for the railroad administration of Uzbekistan, since Tajikistan’s railroad administration – the State Unitary Enterprise “Rokhi okhani Tochikiston” during a short period of time has risen tariffs manifold, and in particular, in 2011 – threefold, and in 2012 – by 40 percent. Meanwhile, during this period the rise of tariffs introduced by the State Joint-Stock Railroad Company “Uzbekiston temir yollari” has made up just 30 and 32 percent, respectively.

It should be noted that the rise of tariffs has also been triggered by repeated growth of prices for a rolling stock, spare parts, components, fuel and lubricants, as well as operating costs.

Fourth, As much as the natural gas supplies are concerned, I would like to underscore the following. The Joint Stock Company “Uztransgaz” has fulfilled in full its guaranteed contract supplies envisaged for this year in the amount of 45 million cubic meters of natural gas to the Open Joint-Stock Company “Tajiktransgas”, and this issue is a subject of interaction of economic entities as it is accepted in international practice.

The Tajik Side must be well aware of the fact that given the operation of the Turkmen and Uzbek gas pipeline system apart from one another, the transit of the Turkmen gas through Uzbekistan’s territory is impossible.

Fifth, during the acute phase of the civil war in Tajikistan in 1992-1996 the law-enforcement bodies of Uzbekistan had to plant mines (besides it was in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan) in certain high-mountain areas of the state border with an altitude of no less than 3,5 kilometers, where the danger of penetration of band formations and unrestrained flow of drug trafficking to the territory of Uzbekistan was immediate, while the normal communication is undertaken through the agreed border crossing areas and it gives rise to no complaints on the part of both sides.

Sixth, The visa regime between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tajikistan was established in 2000 based on the signed intergovernmental agreement about mutual travels of citizens which corresponds to the universally recognized norms of international law.

All of the aforementioned as well as the cited facts do once again confirm that on the issues mentioned in Your letter the position of the Government and relevant economic structures of Uzbekistan is absolutely well-founded and fully meets the norms of international law, and any claims of the Tajik Side do not have any grounds.

Sincerely,

Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Shavkat Mirziyoyev