Azerbaijan, Baku, June 25 / Trend, T. Jafarov /
Azerbaijan and Iran signed a protocol on the rules of use of water and energy resources of the Araz River.
The protocol was signed in Baku between Azerbaijan and Iran at the 40th annual meeting of the Joint Committee on cooperation and joint use of energy resources of Araz and Mil-Mugan- reservoirs, Iranian Energy Ministry's Transboundary Water Resources Supervision Department Director General Jabbar Vatanfada, who is on visit to Baku, said in an interview with Trend.
"In the past four days, discussions were held in a warm atmosphere. The two countries held discussions based on 40-year experience of cooperation. A protocol was signed on the rules of use of water and energy resources in the Araz River at the end of discussions. According to the protocol, both sides will use energy and water resources of Araz and Mugan-Mile reservoirs located on the Araz River during the year," Vatanfada said.
Some 40 years have passed since Iran and Azerbaijan's joint use of energy resources of the Araz and Mil-Mugan water reservoirs. A joint meeting is held every year in Iran or in Azerbaijan. Last year the meeting took place in Iran, while it was held in Azerbaijan this year. The meeting was attended by representatives of the provinces of South Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan and Ardabil. The meeting was also attended by directors of Araz and Mil-Mugan reservoirs.
Vatanfada said water and energy resources of the Araz River are equally divided between the two countries during their use.
"The meeting discussed the water volume for storage in the Araz reservoir, regulating water volume used in agriculture in both countries," he said.
Vatanfada stressed that according to the agreement, if there is drought, then the water collected in reservoirs should be used by the two countries to fight against drought for the benefit of each of them. If there is a threat of heavy rains, the water level in these reservoirs will be adjusted so that both countries suffered minimal damage.