How Should Central Asia Create WaterEnergy Consortium?

- The countries of the Aral Sea basin recognize the creation of a water-energy consortium as being necessary. But, unable to agree on the terms of its establishment, they have set their hopes on the international community. The idea of a consortium for regulation of water supply in exchange for fuel was conceived by the presidents of the Central Asian states of Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan some 10 years ago. In 2006, it was revived by Russia in the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community. Last month, Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov said negotiations on the consortium should be continued "to strengthen friendly relations with neighboring countries," while Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak Shukeev promised that the country will continue to "consistently urge" its partners in the region on its creation...