Caspian states agree key points of security deal - Azeri official
The core issues of the draft agreement on cooperation in ensuring
security of the Caspian Sea have been agreed, Azerbaijani Deputy
Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov has said as two-day talks among
deputy foreign ministers of the littoral states drew to a close in
Baku on Friday.
Addressing a news conference, Khalafov said, further, that there are issues remaining to be agreed, but the coastal nations’ positions on those are very close as well. "Conceptually, no views amounting to contradictions essentially remain."
According to Khalafov, the deputy ministers agreed to continue negotiating by correspondence until the next meeting aiming to coordinate the draft accord takes place. He said holding talks in this manner seeks to achieve adoption of the document at the next meeting.
Khalafov noted that the draft agreement has no bearing on the draft convention on the basin’s legal status, which has been unresolved for many years despite numerous rounds of talks. This agreement covers cooperation in the area of combating terror and organized crime, illegal circulation of arms, nuclear materials and narcotic substances, illegal migration, and human trafficking. Such collaboration entails exchanging information and experience, conducting joint activities, etc.
"The main point is that the Caspian littoral states are ready to cooperate in a broad realm. Therefore, work on an agreement should be completed swiftly," Khalafov added.
The agreement on joint efforts in ensuring security of the resource-rich basin was drafted by Azerbaijan.
The coastal states face a long-standing dispute over the Caspian status, with differences including the use of the water surface, the division of the seabed, navigation, fishing, as well as such security issues as demilitarization and the movement of military ships. However, such issues as environmental protection and utilization of bio-resources have already been agreed.
Azerbaijan has signed agreements on dividing the Caspian into national sectors with Russia and Kazakhstan. However, Baku faces a dispute with Turkmenistan and still has not agreed the status issue with Iran, which supports equal division of the seabed among the coastal nations.*
Addressing a news conference, Khalafov said, further, that there are issues remaining to be agreed, but the coastal nations’ positions on those are very close as well. "Conceptually, no views amounting to contradictions essentially remain."
According to Khalafov, the deputy ministers agreed to continue negotiating by correspondence until the next meeting aiming to coordinate the draft accord takes place. He said holding talks in this manner seeks to achieve adoption of the document at the next meeting.
Khalafov noted that the draft agreement has no bearing on the draft convention on the basin’s legal status, which has been unresolved for many years despite numerous rounds of talks. This agreement covers cooperation in the area of combating terror and organized crime, illegal circulation of arms, nuclear materials and narcotic substances, illegal migration, and human trafficking. Such collaboration entails exchanging information and experience, conducting joint activities, etc.
"The main point is that the Caspian littoral states are ready to cooperate in a broad realm. Therefore, work on an agreement should be completed swiftly," Khalafov added.
The agreement on joint efforts in ensuring security of the resource-rich basin was drafted by Azerbaijan.
The coastal states face a long-standing dispute over the Caspian status, with differences including the use of the water surface, the division of the seabed, navigation, fishing, as well as such security issues as demilitarization and the movement of military ships. However, such issues as environmental protection and utilization of bio-resources have already been agreed.
Azerbaijan has signed agreements on dividing the Caspian into national sectors with Russia and Kazakhstan. However, Baku faces a dispute with Turkmenistan and still has not agreed the status issue with Iran, which supports equal division of the seabed among the coastal nations.*
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