Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

The construction of some reservoirs on the tributaries of the transit Araz River are among the main priorities of the Armenia's new government for 2014-2017.

The government of Armenia believes that drinking and irrigation water flow aimlessly from Armenia to the Caspian Sea.

Araz River, one of the largest rivers of the Caucasus, is located in and along Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Araz River meets with the Kura River in Azerbaijani Sabirabad region, then directly flows into the Caspian Sea.

Some 76 percent of Armenia's territory belongs to Araz River basin. Most Armenian rivers are the tributaries of Araz River.

Armenian Prime Minister Ovik Abramyan said recently the government plans to build or finish the construction of Yeghvard, Vedi, Kap and Mastarin reservoirs in the coming years. They will allow Armenia to accumulate 145-180 billion cubic meters of irrigation water.

"A total of $250 million have been allocated to these projects including foreign loan programs," he added.

Such a move by the Armenian government will inevitably put one of the longest rivers of the Caucasus in ecological calamities. Decrease of the water in the lower feeder of Araz will temporarily destroy the ecosystem. Meanwhile, it will hardly lead to a drop of water level in the Caspian Sea.

Director of Geography Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Ramiz Mammadov told Azernews that Araz River brings annually six cubic kilometres to the Caspian Sea, while all other rivers bring 350 cubic kilometres.

"Construction of reservoirs on Araz River will worsen the ecological situation in lower feeder of Araz River, but this is temporary as the ecosystem restores following water release," he said.

Mammadov further said that any country, which is situated on the transit river, must coordinate its activities related to the river.

"Armenia has not yet ratified the Helsinki Convention on trans-boundary watercourses and international lakes of 1992," he said. "The convention bans its participant countries to change water amount and quality of the transit river without the permission of neighboring nations."

Armenia refuses to ratify the international convention despite numerous appeals.

"Azerbaijan could appeal to the international court to complain of Armenia's intention to build reservoirs on transit Araz River if Armenia has joined the convention," he stressed.