Why are Azerbaijanis Interested in Amulsar?

It turns out, our neighbors Azerbaijan and Turkey are seriously interested in Amulsar Gold Project. Geoteam CJSC has recently concluded Amulsar project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) disclosure and consultations process. A short period later it received questions from the board on Amulsar project of EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development), which introduce Turkey and Azerbaijan.

EBRD is a shareholder of the owner of Geoteam Company—Lydian International Limited, and as Director General of Geoteam Hayk Aloyan told Mediamax, as a company adherent to international standards they felt obliged to answer to all questions addressed to them as part of the ESIA disclosure process.

It’s difficult to memorize any case, when representatives of Turkey and Azerbaijan showed such interest towards any investment project, implemented in Armenia. However, Company specialists provide detailed answers to all questions (the document is attached).

At first glance the 11 questions are only environmental. However, in fact, something different is hidden behind them. This is a real game of nerves.

For instance, the very first question is formulated the following way, “The implemented mining operations in the 152 hectares territory belonging Armenia’s Gndevaz settlement (near Jermuk city and Saravan village) include border with Azerbaijan (based on electronic map calculations territories meant for exploitation are at a distance of 12-17 km from the border)”

This not a question, but an attempt to fix, that liberated territories and Artsakh are a part of Azerbaijan, as Amulsar is at the same distance from Nakchchivan, as those territories.

Providing specialized answer to this question means agreeing on that formulation. Geoteam experts, found the proper variant, by introducing “real distance from Armenia’s border” (not highlighting the topic of Azerbaijan, Artsakh and liberated territories).

Another example: the second question is, “According to ESIA, during the project exploitation Arpachay river will be used as the main source for industrial purposes and use of drinking water.” It’s simply stated that, “…maximal volume of intake from Arpa river will comprise…”

Simply said Geoteam specialists had to show not only knowledge in environmental issues, but diplomatic skills as well.

Purpose of Azerbaijanis, however, isn’t enshrining some formulations through such petty tricks. Their formula is very simple: what comes from Armenia’s interests, what is economically beneficial for us, contrasts their interests and everything should be done to abort the process.

In this case Azerbaijanis will hardly succeed, as they met professionals. However, attempts, to all probabilities, will be recorded.