Iran resumes electricity supply to Nakhichevan

Iran has resumed supplying electricity to the autonomous Azerbaijani republic of Nakhichevan after Baku handed over the first part of its payment in arrears, the energy ministry said. 

In a statement, it said Tehran began sending electricity on Friday evening after receiving three million of the 45 million dollars in back payments it is owed. 

Iran, which supplies 60 percent of the enclaved republic's electricity, cut off the power several times over the past two months for non-payment but did switch it back on during legislative elections in October. 

The two neighbors share Islamic and cultural affinities, but relations have been strained in recent years, particularly over the sharing of the resource-rich Caspian Sea. 

Iran has also singled out Baku for its friendly relations with the United States and Israel.—AFP. 

©--Agence France Presse. 

© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)