This lawsuit, filed under the Energy Charter Treaty and in accordance with fundamental principles of international law, highlights numerous violations by Armenia of Azerbaijan’s sovereign rights to its energy resources.
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs released this information.
It was noted that this lawsuit represents the latest development in an international judicial process that began on February 27, 2023, when Azerbaijan served Armenia with a notice of arbitration. The arbitration tribunal was established on September 8, 2023, and the first procedural meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia took place on January 12 of this year.
“During nearly thirty years of illegal occupation of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territories, Armenia obstructed Azerbaijan’s access to its energy resources or their development in these territories. On the contrary, Armenia exploited these resources for its own benefit.
Instances of Armenia’s violations of international law include, in particular, its long-standing refusal to grant Azerbaijan access to key renewable energy projects or to utilize them. These include the Terter hydroelectric power plant located at the Sarsang Reservoir in the formerly occupied Agdere district, the Khudaferin and Giz Galasy hydroelectric projects on the border with Iran in the formerly occupied Jabrayil district, as well as other previously untapped energy potential, renewable resources, including hydroelectric power, and other resources.
The Armenian side licensed and regulated entities that operated the Terter hydroelectric plant during the illegal occupation, unlawfully connected this energy source to its domestic power grid, and directed additional energy to Armenia for domestic consumption. Moreover, Armenia delayed the completion of these vital hydroelectric projects for 30 years by preventing Azerbaijan’s access to the Khudaferin and Giz Galasy project sites and hindering the development of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy sector.
Azerbaijan will continue efforts to demand compensation from Armenia for violations of its sovereign rights to energy resources, including the illegal exploitation and damage caused to renewable energy sources in the territories liberated from occupation,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
