Iran completing Khudaferin dam’s construction on Araz River – minister

Iran has accelerated the work to commission the Khudaferin hydroelectric plant and has almost completed the construction of the Khudaferin dam over the Araz River on the border with Azerbaijan in the last two months, Mahmoud Vaezi, Iran's minister of communications and information technology, said in an exclusive interview with Trend on April 22.

An agreement was signed between Azerbaijan and Iran in February 2016 for cooperation in the use of water resources, and continuation of construction and operation of the Khudaferin and Giz Galasi hydroelectric facilities on the Araz River.

Vaezi said the implementation of the Khudaferin project has faced delays for many years due to technical and political problems.

He added that Iran accelerated the work in this direction after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Tehran and signing an agreement.

"Currently, there are no obstacles for the project's implementation," he added. "Iran will implement the project and after that Azerbaijan will make its share of the required investments."

The profit from the sale of electricity will be equally divided between Azerbaijan and Iran.

The agreement proclaims the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Iran, and equal rights for water and energy resources of Khudaferin and Giz Galasi hydroelectric complexes.

The agreement also highlights the need to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in accordance with the UN resolutions.

/By Trend/