In their joint statement, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov underlined the issues on the use of resources of the transboundary rivers in Central Asia should be considered based on generally adopted norms and principles of international law, taking into account interests of all countries of the region.

As reported earlier, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Turkmenistan on 1-2 October at the invitation of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov. The joint report was adopted in the result of the talks.

“Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as signees of the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes from 1992, underlined that any actions, which can impact to natural flow of transboundary rivers in the region, including construction of new large hydraulic works, could not be conducted without agreement of all interested sites,” the statement reads.

During the briefing, the Uzbek President underlined that this document require adherence to principles of non-damaging environment or interests of other states at use of resources of transboundary rivers.

Islam Karimov said that it is necessary that construction of hydraulic works, in this case Rogun hydro power station, should be conducted only after international expertise and agreed with all countries, which located in downstream. After that they can start construction, he said.

In his turn, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said that Turkmenistan s for consideration of water-energy issues based on norms of international law. He said that the issues should be solved based on mutual respect and interest of all states should be taken into account.