The Ministry of Nature Protection of RA denies the information on that Iran intends to purchase water from lake Sevan in order to restore the water resources of lake Urmia, which is near extinction. This has been communicated by Temina Arzumanyan, the press secretary of the Ministry of Nature Protection of RA.
To note: the information declared by Ali Alilly, an Iranian Deputy to IRNA agency rose a discontent wave not only in Armenia, but in Georgia as well. He stated of a preliminary arrangement available between the parties, or even an agreement with the authorities of both countries that the water shall be transferred by pumps. According to the Armenian specialists this is feasible, but it would require investments of few millions which Iran may afford, unlike Armenia and Georgia being in need of fresh water stock. More over, it is naive to speak of pumps, if lake Sevan is 1 900 m over the sea level, whereas Urmia is at the elevation of 1 275m. However, the water transfer can be made naturally by increasing flashes from Sevan and water intake of the same volume from river Araks and its transfer to Urmia via pumps or tonnels.
Nonetheless, according to the specialists one thing is strange that Iranian Deputy provides particulars of the deal. According to him, 60-80 c.m./second of water will be delivered to Iran and the program will end in two years.