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The agreement between Iran and Azerbaijan on cooperation in energy and water use, continuation of construction and operation of the Khudaferin and Qiz Qalasi hydroelectric plants and complexes on the Araz River, will bring Azerbaijan the economic and political benefits.

This statement was made by Shahin Mustafayev, Azerbaijani economy minister, Azerbaijani state TV channel AzTV reported Feb. 26.

Mustafayev said the agreement declares the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Iran, the equal rights on water and energy resources of the Khudaferin and Qiz Qalasi complexes.

He added that the need for restoring the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in accordance with the UN resolutions was also stressed in the agreement.

“As it is known, the Khudaferin and Qiz Qalasi complexes are being built on the Araz River,” he said. “Unfortunately, Armenia occupied the territory of Azerbaijan located on the left bank of the river.”

“The territory of Iran is on the right bank of this river,” Mustafayev said. “This agreement will provide access for Azerbaijan to its occupied territories and will make it possible to carry out economic activity there. In addition, the agreement once again emphasized the fact that these territories belong to Azerbaijan, and that Armenia has no rights on them.”

The minister noted that the political dividends Azerbaijan will receive from this agreement are very large.

From the economic point of view this project is very profitable for Azerbaijan, said the minister.

“Azerbaijan and Iran will work together to finalize this project,” Mustafayev said. “It is worth noting that the dam has already been completed, construction of the power plant will be completed in the near future, and Azerbaijan and Iran together will manage and implement this project.”

“In addition, this agreement is very important for regulation of the water level in the Araz River,” he said. “It is also worth noting that the profit from the sale of electricity will be equally divided between Azerbaijan and Iran.”

Mustafayev also said Azerbaijan will start selling electricity to Iran in a month.

“Construction of the Mugan transmission line, the former Imishli-Parsabad line, will be completed in a month,” he said. “From the Azerbaijani side, all the work has been completed. The Iranian side asked us for 20-25 days in order to complete the work.”

“It can be said that in a month, Azerbaijan will be able to sell electricity to Iran via this transmission line,” he said. “An agreement on prices has already been reached. There are no technical or financial problems.”

The minister noted that in the future it is planned to carry out cross-flows of electricity among Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia, as well as among Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran.

“All the necessary work is already being carried out in this direction,” Mustafayev said. “Linking energy systems of these countries is a strategic objective for us.”

Earlier, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the interest in uniting the energy systems with Azerbaijan and Iran.

Azerbaijan has the necessary infrastructure that allows receiving and transmitting electricity. The country has experience in the simultaneous operation of energy systems with Russia as there has been a single system since the Soviet period.

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