Tajik-Russian Relations Take a Downturn
Tajik-Russian Relations Take a Downturn
Glitches in joint hydroelectric projects and Moscow's rapprochement with Uzbekistan are putting a strain on Tajik-Russian relations, NBCentralAsia observers say.
At a March 28-29 conference in Dushanbe to mark 15 years of diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Russia, Ramazan Abdulatipov, the Russian ambassador in Dushanbe, emphasised the strength of the strategic alliance but accused what he called “independent experts” of trying to undermine this friendly relationship
NBCentralAsia observers say the strained relationship results less from comments made by analysts than from the difficulties encountered in implementing large joint investment projects in the energy sector.
According to political scientist Khodi Abdujabbor, the Tajik-Russian political relationship was dogged by recurring in the hydroelectric power sector last year.
In 2004, the two countries signed an agreement whereby the Russian company RUSAL would invest over two billion US dollars in building the region’s largest hydroelectric power station at Rogun and a new aluminium plant, but both projects has been stalled by technical disagreements with the Tajik government.
Last month, Tajikistan lost its decision-making rights in another Russian-Tajik project, the Sangtuda-1 power station. The Russian investor, United Energy Systems, revised the estimated project costs upwards and requested an additional share issue, thereby reducing Tajikistan’s proportional stake in the venture below the threshold which gave it voting rights.
“The problems with the Rogun project, Russia’s passive stance in implementing many other agreements, and the constant vacillation seenin Moscow’s dealings with Tajikistan are all having a negative effect on the relationship,” said Abdujabbor, adding, “Nevertheless, Tajikistan remains committed to having Russia as its main partner.”
According to an expert at the Centre for Strategic Studies who wishes to remain anonymous, these economic glitches are most probably the result of political differences stemming from when Russian-Uzbek relations underwent a marked improvement in 2005.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have a history of fraught relations caused by arguments over the use of water from cross-border rivers and the potential for harnessing them to generate electricity.
The deteriorating relationship between Tajikistan and Russian is at least partly attributable to the Uzbek factor.
“The state of the relationship can be judged by the Tajik president’s recent trips abroad. When they are re-elected, leaders in this region usually travel to Moscow to underline their commitment to the strategic relationshop. [Imomali] Rahmonov has been to China, Syria and Egypt, but he doesn’t even have plans to go to Moscow,” said the expert.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
At a March 28-29 conference in Dushanbe to mark 15 years of diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Russia, Ramazan Abdulatipov, the Russian ambassador in Dushanbe, emphasised the strength of the strategic alliance but accused what he called “independent experts” of trying to undermine this friendly relationship
NBCentralAsia observers say the strained relationship results less from comments made by analysts than from the difficulties encountered in implementing large joint investment projects in the energy sector.
According to political scientist Khodi Abdujabbor, the Tajik-Russian political relationship was dogged by recurring in the hydroelectric power sector last year.
In 2004, the two countries signed an agreement whereby the Russian company RUSAL would invest over two billion US dollars in building the region’s largest hydroelectric power station at Rogun and a new aluminium plant, but both projects has been stalled by technical disagreements with the Tajik government.
Last month, Tajikistan lost its decision-making rights in another Russian-Tajik project, the Sangtuda-1 power station. The Russian investor, United Energy Systems, revised the estimated project costs upwards and requested an additional share issue, thereby reducing Tajikistan’s proportional stake in the venture below the threshold which gave it voting rights.
“The problems with the Rogun project, Russia’s passive stance in implementing many other agreements, and the constant vacillation seenin Moscow’s dealings with Tajikistan are all having a negative effect on the relationship,” said Abdujabbor, adding, “Nevertheless, Tajikistan remains committed to having Russia as its main partner.”
According to an expert at the Centre for Strategic Studies who wishes to remain anonymous, these economic glitches are most probably the result of political differences stemming from when Russian-Uzbek relations underwent a marked improvement in 2005.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have a history of fraught relations caused by arguments over the use of water from cross-border rivers and the potential for harnessing them to generate electricity.
The deteriorating relationship between Tajikistan and Russian is at least partly attributable to the Uzbek factor.
“The state of the relationship can be judged by the Tajik president’s recent trips abroad. When they are re-elected, leaders in this region usually travel to Moscow to underline their commitment to the strategic relationshop. [Imomali] Rahmonov has been to China, Syria and Egypt, but he doesn’t even have plans to go to Moscow,” said the expert.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
