BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. This is unforgettable day in the history of Iranian-Azerbaijani relations, Iran's Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian said at the commissioning ceremony of the "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex and the opening ceremony of the "Giz Galasi" ("Maiden Tower") hydroelectric complex today, Trend reports.
According to him, Iran and Azerbaijan have common interests along the 420 km long Araz river. This river has been a factor in the development of economic, social and cultural infrastructures for the past 50 years and is considered a symbol of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
"Joint constructions between the two countries have created opportunities for the increase of trade and other regional cooperation with an investment of more than $1 billion. The "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complex is 208 km from the Araz water dam and 12 km from the "Khudafarin" hydroelectric complex on the Araz river," he explained.
The minister mentioned that the "Giz Galasi" complex is important for flood management, water regulation in drought conditions, dividing border waters in accordance with bilateral obligations, developing agriculture, transforming traditional agriculture into modern agriculture, developing tourism, taking into account numerous natural and historical monuments, and aims to produce 540 gigawatts of electricity per year.
Mehrabian pointed out that with the spending of $600 million, the dams and drainage networks built on the Araz river will be commissioned, with the improvement of the "Khudafarin" and "Giz Galasi" hydroelectric complexes.
The minister called the complexes a factor of strengthening water diplomacy and solidarity between the two countries.
