Huseyn Bagirov: "CITES's ban on sturgeon and black caviar export has political aim and no loss for Azerbaijan"

APA interviews Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Huseyn Baghirov

- What activities will be implemented under Presidential decree on improvement of ecological situation?

- The environment is that which is affected by any human activities in industry, household and lands. A number of documents have been approved for improvement of the situation. 5 national and state programs were approved by Presidents- Heydar Aliyev and Ilham Aliyev. The first problems appear in Absheron because of oil pollution. Azerbaijan has been producing oil for over 160 years industrially. 90% of the world oil had been produced in Azerbaijan in primitive methods. 15 000 hectares of land have been left completely polluted with oil and 30 000 hectares partially. Besides oil, industrial development also caused complex ecological situation in Absheron. The Caspian now has a number of over-polluted hotspots. The most polluted zone is the junction of the Volga with the Caspian which is 75-80% of the totally polluted territories. The second over-polluted zone is the Iranian shore. The third is junction of the Kyur with the Caspian which comes through Armenia and Georgia. Mingechevir Reservoir is not in capacity to completely prevent the pollution. The fourth zone is Absheron peninsula.

All these problems are planned to be removed. Waste water let to the Caspian will be completely prevented by 2010. Much of the oil-polluted territories will be purified and special organization will be set up to implement these activities.

- Ecology and natural Resources Ministry experience the pressure of state Organizations and officials while fighting the damage to the environment. What measures will be taken to prevent these cases?

- This problem doesn't only apply to the state organizations. For example, a shepherd damages the nature. 3-4 sheep should be grazed in a hectare. But, it is not so in reality. Which shepherd observes this rule? On the other hand, it should be engraved in the mind of every enterprise that they can't work with purification equipment. The State can do nothing by chasing 8m people. The Ministry therefore increases awareness.

- What amendments will be made to the law in order to be able to prevent nature damage? Some articles will be included in the Criminal Code, I think….

- Monetary penalties of 556m were imposed on the culprits a year by 2001. This figure reached 33bn in 2005. Penalties of 55-60bn manats were imposed but only 10% has to date been paid. Besides tightening the punishment and penalties, people's approach to the nature should be changed. It should be known as a guilt or sin to damage the nature.

- International organizations, in particular foreign oil companies operating in Azerbaijan also harm the nature. Most companies don’t pay the penalties. What is your view?

- These companies use high-tech equipment but their approach to the nature is different. We demand them to approach the nature as they do in their country. A lawsuit was brought against Salyan Oil for the penalties of AZN 111 650 because of oil pollution. Garadagh Cement has twice been brought to the court for penalties of AZN 64 503 and AZN 69 850. Gobustan Operating Company was fined AZN 143 935, Caspian Specialist Service AZN 1980. Karasu Operating Company was brought to the court for AZN 96 162 and the company cleaned the polluted territories. Shirvan Oil was fined AZN 55 and a claim of AZN 8531 against this company in trial.

- CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) kept effective the ban on black caviar and Caspian sturgeon. This ban is applicable for the Caspian States except Iran. What is your view on the problem?

- CITES's decision is illogical. US support for this ban is very incredible. On the other side, what is the meaning of this decision is not clear. It is not loss for Azerbaijan. We would understand the decision if it had banned all littoral states to export black caviar and sturgeon. This decision has political aims and no connection to the damage to the nature.

- Azerbaijan has only 10% of the water reserves of the South Caucasus. 2/3 of the world population will be faced water shortage in 2025. What about Azerbaijan?

- Ecology and natural Resources Ministry submitted a number of proposals to the Cabinet. We see water as strategic resource. Azerbaijani population should be ready for re-purification of the used water. World countries use this method. Israel uses this method too. But, the purification technology should meet the standards of the World Health Organization. 30-32% of Azerbaijan's water reserves is in rivers, of which 28% in the Kyur. Azerbaijan is not expected to experience water shortage by 2050. But, we should use water economically.

- Foreign Companies are tapping gold deposits in Azerbaijani lands under occupation by Armenia. What measures will be taken?

- Armenia is an aggressor. It killed thousands, evicted millions of people. Azerbaijan authorized Canadian R.V. Investment to tap the gold deposits in these territories. This Company has to prevent the illegal tapping of the gold deposits and bring them to international court. Canadian First Dynasty Mines (FDM) company is tapping the gold deposits illegally in these lands. R.V. Investment can solve the problem in accordance with the law of their country.