DUSHANBE (Avesta News Agency) – President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov exchanged congratulations on occasion of the 20^th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment between the two countries, said the Tajik president’s press service.

In his congratulations, President Rahmon said:

Tajikistan highly values centuries-old traditions of friendship and good neighbourhood between our nations. We strive for a steady development of the entire range of Tajik-Uzbek constructive cooperation on the basis of principles of equality, mutual trust and consideration of the interests stipulated in the main documents regulating our bilateral relations.

He stressed the collaborative efforts of two countries would help counter current challenges and threats and to bring bilateral relations to a new level for the benefit of two nations and strengthening of the regional stability.

The President of Uzbekistan in turn thanked for warm greetings and good wishes of Rahmon having said the good relations will be maintained in future.

President Karimov added:

The friendly and trustworthy relations rooted in the ancient times, common history, traditions and customs, problems which our people have to address, have always consolidated us on the way towards achievement of well-being, decent life and our people.

The Uzbek government in Tashkent is furious that authorities in Dushanbe are pressing ahead with construction of the Rogun hydropower plant that downstream Uzbekistan says will reduce vital water supplies to its vast cotton plantations. In retaliation, Uzbekistan has cut railway and road links with Tajikistan, and halted supplies of natural gas and electricity to its poverty stricken neighbour.

However, Dushanbe-Tashkent relations remain strained due to disputes over water and energy resources and transit routes. The Uzbek government is enraged that Dushanbe is pushing ahead with construction of the Rogun hydropower plant that downstream Uzbekistan claims will reduce vital water supplies to its vast cotton plantations. In retaliation, Uzbekistan has cut railway and road links with Tajikistan, and halted supplies of natural gas and electricity to its poverty stricken neighbour.