OREANDA-NEWS. April 21, 2009. Uzbekistan should solve use of water and energy resources in Central Asia based on mutual understanding, constructive dialogue and consensus among the countries of the region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said on a statement.

The statement said any neglect from these principles can cause ecological, economic, social and political consequences in the region.

Uzbek Ministry recalled that Amurdarya and Syrdarya, two rivers in Central Asia, play important role for people of the region. The statement said the decision of the USSR era on use of water resources of Amurdarya and Syrdarya brought to tragedy in Aral Sea Basin.

The statement said rational use of water and natural resources is important as there is persistent shortage of drinking and irrigative water in some territories of the region.

Issues on reasonable water use touches interest of all countries of the Central Asia and adoption of any decision, without taking into account interest of neighbours, can aggravate situation with water supply of lower reaches of Amudarya and Syrdarya and damage ecologic situation in the region further, which can negatively impact millions of lives in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

Uzbek foreign ministry said that 65% of population in the region live in rural areas and work in agriculture sector, which wholly depends on safe water supply.

The ministry said attempts to realize wide-scale hydro power stations can further aggravate situation and misbalance water management mechanisms in the Central Asian region. The statement said such projects' authors eye commercial interest and political targets, but do not think about destiny of about millions. It added that further development of events on this scenario can bring unpredictable consequences.

Uzbekistan adheres to position on necessity of rational and effective use of water resources in Central Asia based on international norms.

The Uzbek sides said all wide-scale construction at basins of trans-border rivers should be agreed with all states of the region, which is set norm of international law.

Uzbekistan confirmed its firm position on necessity of mandatory expertise of hydro power projects at trans-border rivers under aegis of the UN. The statement said independent specialists should audit construction of such hydro power stations as Kambartin GES-1 and Rogun GES.