16:30,

YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian authorities have denied Azerbaijani media reports claiming that Baku has sent an official letter to Yerevan demanding to cease the ongoing construction of the steelworks in Yeraskh.

Azeri media reports claimed that the Azerbaijani Minister of Environment and Natural Resources has sent a letter to the Armenian Minister of Environment demanding to stop the construction with allegations of environmental harm. 

The Armenian Minister of Environment’s spokesperson Ani Hakobyan told ARMENPRESS that the ministry hasn’t received any letter from Azerbaijan.

“The Ministry of Environment, in person of Minister Hakob Simidyan, hasn’t received any official letter or communiqué from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources,” Hakobyan said.

“If we receive an official letter, we will study and process it and respond,” she added.

At the same time, the spokesperson added that the Armenian government is committed to implementing all assumed international obligations regarding the environment.

Earlier in June, Azerbaijani forces shot and wounded two workers at the construction site of the U.S.-affiliated steelworks in Yeraskh. The construction site has since been targeted again by the Azeri forces in cross-border shootings.

On 14 July, the American companies that are building the steelworks issued a statement stating that they did not violate any provisions of the international conventions pointed out by Azerbaijan and are ready to demand compensation for the investments, the loss incurred and profit not earned in international legal platforms. And in the case of Azerbaijan again shooting at unarmed workers, the companies will view it as a direct blow to American capital without any environmental motive, but a purely political decision.