Minister says ecological tensions are caused by conflicts

A conference of ecology ministers of the East European, Caucasus and Central Asian countries was held in Tbilisi, Georgia on October 21-22.

Minister for Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyn Baghirov said that ecological tensions are caused by regional armed conflicts. Any cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia in addressing environmental problems will be impossible until the Upper Garabagh conflict is settled, Baghirov said.

Pointing out the role of international conventions in resolving environmental problems in the Kur River and trans-border ecological issues, Baghirov said the failure of neighboring countries to join these documents impedes resolution of such problems. He also called on international organizations to insist that they join these

conventions.

During the visit, Minister Baghirov also held a series of bilateral meetings to discuss environmental cooperation.