Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept.7 / Trend, M. Aliyev /
Iran has not officially appealed to Azerbaijan regarding the use of Araz River waters to prevent Lake Urmia from drying out, the Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Huseyngulu Bagirov told journalists on Wednesday.
He said that the Azerbaijani side was informed of the use of Araz River waters to prevent the swallowing of Lake Urmia only through media reports.
"If in fact there is such an intention, Iran must coordinate this issue with Azerbaijan," Bagirov said, stressing that Iran and Azerbaijan have made an agreement on the use of waters of the Araz River.
"The agreement reflects many issues. It was agreed that each party may use water from the river for agriculture and other needs," Bagirov said.
He said that a certain water level should be maintained in the river to preserve the ecological balance.
As an example, Bagirov stressed that the Armenians have altered the riverbed of the Tovuz River for their own purposes. Naturally, they will feel the ecological consequences.