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Political scientist: "This is an indicator of recognition of those territories by Iran as a part of Azerbaijan”

08 May 2020 19:34 (UTC +04:00)

“It would be more correct to approach the issue of construction of “Khudaferin” and “Giz Galasi” waterworks facilities and hydroelectric stations over the part of Araz river flowing along border between Azerbaijan and Iran in the framework of Azerbaijan’s interests, strategic targets, and main principles of international law”, said the chairman of the Caucasian Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies (CCIRSS), political scientist Araz Aslanli in his statement to APA.

He said Azerbaijan’s being a state newly gained its independence, facing serious security risks, the continuing occupation of a part of its territories requires us to approach very attentively and sensitively any issue and especially the issues related to these territories: “But this attentiveness and sensitivity shouldn’t cause our demonstration of sensitive reaction to all topics, expression of our attitude to issues without studying their origins. If this refers to construction of “Khudaferin” and “Giz Galasi” waterworks facilities and hydroelectric stations over Araz River, it would be correct to express attitude to this topic rather through the prism of our occupied territories and Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. The first nuance of interest to us in this case is that whether or not Azerbaijan has given its consent to these constructions. In other words, any work done, any project realized on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border should be implemented by Azerbaijan’s approval. It makes no difference whether that territory is under our control or under occupation. As the territory belongs to us, our approval should be obtained. Otherwise, the disrespect would be shown for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, and such situation is unacceptable for us. If the construction of “Khudaferin” and “Giz Galasi” waterworks facilities and hydroelectric stations over Araz River is implemented by our approval and mutual agreement, if Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity expressly emphasized in the documents signed in regard to this issue, if Iran doesn’t sign any document regarding this issue with Armenia being the state keeping under occupation our territories, if it conducts discussions directly with Azerbaijan, then there is no problem in this case from legal viewpoint. On the contrary, this is an indicator of recognition by Iran of those territories as a part of Azerbaijan”.

A. Aslanli noted that for the viewpoint of real interests, the construction of “Khudaferin” and “Giz Galasi” waterworks facilities and hydroelectric stations is not a problematic issue, and seems as a beneficial point: “If it is clearly seen from the documents and the statements that the water reserves of these waterworks facilities will be used jointly, the electric energy generated at hydroelectric stations of each party will be owned by that country, etc., then no problem is seen in this case in terms of violation of sovereignty. I would like to note once again that on the contrary, this point can be evaluated as the respectful approaching to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

But if we talk about opportunities, successes and problems in the Azerbaijani-Iranian relations as a whole, this is a completely different topic already. In other words, if anybody in general takes a stand against the Azerbaijani-Iranian relations and criticizes them from that prism, then it is an entirely different issue”.