Azernews.Az

Khalaf Khalafov, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, believes a rapprochement is occurring among Caspian Sea states - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Russia - as they meet to discuss the legal status of the sea.
"The sides achieved certain progress on a number of issues after holding comprehensive discussions," he said Friday at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the coastal nations` taskforce in Baku.
The littoral states have agreed to a number of issues on the joint use of the water surface, Khalafov said, but added that differences remain between nations on some issues of principle.
Experts from the five coastal states met in the Azerbaijani capital to review a draft treaty regarding the legal status of the Caspian.
Khalafov told a news conference, at the conclusion of the discussions, that the parties focused on issues including navigation, environmental conditions of the sea and transporting energy resources such as oil via the Caspian. Khalafov reported that some progress has been achieved during the discussions.
"The issues we moved forward upon include the environment and fishing. Some agreements have been reached in these areas."
The deputy minister said the littoral states are expected to fully explain their positions on the draft treaty on Cooperation in Security of the Caspian Sea developed by Azerbaijan during the goup`s next meeting in Astana. The document covers issues of cooperation among border services, customs and interior agencies. Issues of military-political cooperation and military-political security were not discussed since the draft treaty defining the Caspian`s status already has provisions on the activity of military forces.
The status of the sea has yet to be fully resolved. Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan have previously signed bilateral agreements defining borders on the seabed, however, Iran and Turkmenistan have expressed objections. Iran insists that the Caspian`s 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.
However, Turkmenistan`s position on the issue became more conciliatory after the change in government in the country.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, who attended the meeting, said Azerbaijan`s agreements with Russia and Kazakhstan on numerous issues could set an example for other littoral states.
"The Caspian has to be a sea of friendship, peace and cooperation. From this standpoint, reaching agreement on issues of principle could bear great significance for capitalizing on the Caspian`s potential and to combat terror and smuggling."
A summit of Caspian states will be held on October 4-5 in Astrakhan, Russia, where leaders are expected to further discuss the draft treaty.