EMOMALI RAHMON MET WITH ANDRЙ MERNIER

              Dushanbe, May 6th. (NIAT "Khovar"). — Today President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat André Mernier.                Emomali Rahmon and André Mernier called their today's meeting a logical continuation of the talk they had had three months ago in the capital of Belgium Brussels and stressed their mutual interest in strengthening and developing bilateral cooperation.               "Tajikistan possesses infinite energy resources, so we are interested in broad cooperation aimed at their effective use", President Emomali Rahmon said.               The Head of the Tajik state added that "the norms and principles of the Energy Party Treaty, which embrace all aspects of the activities in this sphere, lay a good ground for cooperation and use of existing opportunities and reserves".                 For his turn, André Mernier said: "We know that has no other way to overcome its energy difficulties and ensure sustainable economic development, save for the use of its own hydro-power resources". He also noted the Energy Charter was ready to actively assist in implementing energy projects in Central Asia, including Tajikistan and Afghanistan.                 Talking about the main goals of his visit to Tajikistan, André Mernier cited the assistance to creating a reliable ground for the attraction and protection of investments in energy sector and the formation of regional electricity market. He also said that in case there be political will, the Energy Charter may contribute to the solution of Central Asian disputes over the use of water-and-energy resources.