Baku, September 4
AssA-Irada

A working group of the five Caspian Sea states -- Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Russia – discussed a draft convention on the legal status of the sea in Baku on Thursday.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who attended the meeting, said agreement has been reached among coastal nations on a number of issues regarding the Caspian status at the taskforce’s meetings held so far. “The results achieved are likely to further bring closer the positions [of the sides].”

The parties have already worked out a number of issues relating to the draft convention such as navigation and environmental issues. However, differences remain of some aspects of outstanding issues of principle.

Mammadyarov said Baku was attaching special importance to the previous Tehran meeting of the littoral states’ leaders, which gave an incentive to the solution of the issues currently under discussion. He said the Caspian is of tremendous importance for the region, which makes security of the sea and use of its bio-resources vital. The Caspian’s environmental security is beneficial to the coastal states, the minister said.

“I believe that all issues concerning the Caspian status should find their solution on the basis of mutual understanding. Referencing the norms of international law is an important condition in bilateral and multi-lateral negotiations. It is the Azerbaijani side that is working toward a solution based on that.”

Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan had struck a common ground with Russia and Kazakhstan on numerous issues, saying this could set an example for other littoral states. “The Caspian has to be a sea of friendship, peace and cooperation. From this standpoint, reaching common agreement on issues of principle could bear great significance for capitalizing on the Caspian’s potential and combat against terror and smuggling.”

The meeting participants also held discussions on a project regarding cooperation in providing security of the Caspian Sea developed by Azerbaijan. Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov told reporters that Baku was vested with the task with developing such a project at the summit held in the Iranian capital. “The project has now been developed. It reflects issues of cooperation among border services, customs and interior bodies. Issues of military-political cooperation and military-political security were not included, as the draft convention defining the Caspian status already has provisions on the activity of military forces,’ the deputy minister said.

The taskforce meeting will last till Friday.

Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan have previously signed bilateral agreements on defining borders on the sea bed, however, Iran and Turkmenistan have expressed opposing views. Iran insists that the Caspian status be determined based upon those agreements it signed with the USSR many decades ago. Baku backs the Caspian’s delineation on the basis of the medium line principle.

Turkmenistan’s position on the issue became more constructive after the last change of power in the country.