Azernews.Az

BAKU – The Azerbaijani environment minister has warned that if Iran intends to use water from the Araz river crossing the two countries to prevent the drying-out of Lake Orumieh, it has to agree the issue with Azerbaijan.

Commenting on recent media reports, Huseyn Baghirov said Tehran has not formally appealed to Baku on the matter.

"An agreement is in place between Azerbaijan and Iran on the use of the Araz waters...We agreed how much water each country can use for agriculture and other purposes. A certain volume of water has to be maintained in the river to preserve environmental balance."

Lake Orumieh, one of the world's largest saltwater lakes located in northwestern Iran near Turkey, between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan, has shrunk by some 60 percent in recent years due to drought and misguided development policies. Environmentalists warn that unless something is done, the lake will disappear forever.

A group of Azerbaijani youths protested outside the Iranian embassy in Baku last Friday over the drying-out of the lake.