Dushanbe, 29.10.2016. /NIAT «Khovar»/. In the framwork of his working visit to Roghun, the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, after attending the launching ceremony of the construction of the dam of Roghun HPP and familiarization with the course of rehabilitation work at the power plant, held an open meeting with the management and specialists of Roghun HPP and residents of Roghun town.

Initially, the Head of State Emomali Rahmon congratulated all the participants and, in their person, all citizens with the beginning of work on the construction of the dam of the Roghun Hydroelectric Power Plant, and called this date the bright and radiant day, when the foundation is laid for the achievement of national aspirations and bright future of our esteemed Tajikistan.

In connection with the strategic goals of the Republic of Tajikistan, in particular, the achievement of full energy independence and importance of Roghun hydropower plant, President Emomali Rahmon stressed that the use of the rich hydropower resources, especially the construction of the Roghun HPP, is the main way to achieve full energy independence of Tajikistan.

Head of State Emomali Rahmon, in connection with the importance and priority of the Roghun HPP, highlighted that the Roghun facility with a capacity of 3,600MW and the volume of 13,3 square km of water in its reservoir can play a valuable role in addressing the hydropower issues in the region. This facility will enable to provide the downstream countries with irrigation of the cropland and development of new land. The expertise conducted by the World Bank experts and world-renowned international scientists and experts reaffirm the above.

President of the country Emomali Rahmon noted that Tajikistan, since the early years of independence, has always prioritized in its policy the regional cooperation, especially with neighboring countries, and considers such cooperation the only way to settle any problems. The Tajik people for many centuries lived with their neighbors in an atmosphere of peace, tranquility, mutual understanding, and cooperation.

The Government of Tajikistan in its open-doors policy has been establishing good-neighborly relations with the countries of the region, including the friendly and fraternal Uzbekistan, in mutually beneficial areas, especially in the water, energy, transport and other sectors, — said the Head of State Emomali Rahmon, and expressed hope that all important issues of bilateral relations will be resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and to the benefit and interests of our peoples.

At the end of his address, President Emomali Rahmon congratulated once again all those present with the start of construction work at the dam of the Roghun HPP and called all the achievements in the domain of development of the energy sector and, generally, in vital sectors, the fruit of independence.