Azerbaijan launches arbitration process over Armenia’s pollution of Caspian Sea through transboundary rivers

Azerbaijan has launched an arbitration process to hold Armenia accountable for polluting transboundary rivers, which ultimately harms the Caspian Sea.

The announcement was made by Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada on November 13, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

According to him, Armenia's dumping of harmful substances into transboundary rivers leads to pollution of the Caspian Sea.

He also recalled that during the conflict, Armenia had been massively polluting transboundary rivers with Azerbaijan. 

"Okhchuchay can be cited as an example of rivers polluted by Armenia. This country continues to dump waste and harmful substances into rivers. In this regard, Azerbaijan has launched an arbitration process, and relevant work is underway to hold Armenia accountable," Hajizada said.

Hajizade noted that there is no information on cooperation on transboundary rivers involving specialists from Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Undoubtedly, over the past 30 years, international organizations, including the OSCE, have made certain efforts on this issue. But Azerbaijan's main demand is that these rivers should not be polluted. Because the waters of these rivers ultimately flow into the Caspian Sea and lead to its pollution," he added.

By Khagan Isayev