Uzbekistan sends delegation to Afghanistan for talks on Qosh Tepa Canal
World
According to http://Gazeta.uz , an Uzbek government delegation plans to visit Afghanistan by the end of the year to hold talks on the Qosh Tepa Canal under construction from the Amu Darya.
A government delegation is being formed in Uzbekistan on behalf of the President to visit Afghanistan by the end of the year to hold talks on the Qosh Tepa Canal, which is under construction from the Amu Darya. This is reported by http://Gazeta.uz with reference to the governor of Surkhandarya Province, Ulugbek Kosimov.
The governor noted that although the canal is being built from the border with Tajikistan, not Uzbekistan, it will affect all countries in the basin.
"So far they (Afghanistan - ed.) have not opened the canal. What was shown the other day was seeping water. The construction work on the river has not been completed. However, like it or not, there will be an impact on [water volume], there will be a reduction. It will take more years to develop, building a canal is not everything ... Development will also require a lot of money ... Before that, the issue will be considered at the government level," Ulugbek Kosimov said.
During the expected talks, the issue of water distribution will definitely be considered, he emphasised. Now the date of the visit is being agreed upon, and letters have been sent to the Afghan side, the governor added.
Lower-level issues are regularly discussed between the leaders of Surkhandarya Province and Balkh Province, he continued.
"Working groups meet two to three times a month. All issues that should not be brought to the level of governments and border crossing issues are resolved locally. You know, the bulk of trade happens through Hairatan," Ulugbek Kosimov said, adding that trade has become quite active here recently.
The Qosh Tepa Canal will originate in Balkh Province's Kaldar District and run through Jawzjan Province to Faryab Province's Andkhoy District. It will be 280 kilometres long and 100 metres wide.
The governor noted that although the canal is being built from the border with Tajikistan, not Uzbekistan, it will affect all countries in the basin.
"So far they (Afghanistan - ed.) have not opened the canal. What was shown the other day was seeping water. The construction work on the river has not been completed. However, like it or not, there will be an impact on [water volume], there will be a reduction. It will take more years to develop, building a canal is not everything ... Development will also require a lot of money ... Before that, the issue will be considered at the government level," Ulugbek Kosimov said.
During the expected talks, the issue of water distribution will definitely be considered, he emphasised. Now the date of the visit is being agreed upon, and letters have been sent to the Afghan side, the governor added.
Lower-level issues are regularly discussed between the leaders of Surkhandarya Province and Balkh Province, he continued.
"Working groups meet two to three times a month. All issues that should not be brought to the level of governments and border crossing issues are resolved locally. You know, the bulk of trade happens through Hairatan," Ulugbek Kosimov said, adding that trade has become quite active here recently.
The Qosh Tepa Canal will originate in Balkh Province's Kaldar District and run through Jawzjan Province to Faryab Province's Andkhoy District. It will be 280 kilometres long and 100 metres wide.
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