Moscow, 7 December 2023 (TDI): Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed a meeting of foreign ministers of the Caspian littoral states in Moscow on Tuesday underlining the significance of increased cooperation among them in the changing world order.
In his speech, Lavrov emphasized the enormous potential the Caspian region holds for development in trade, economics, environment, science, humanitarian, transportation, as well as transit domains.
He further highlighted that expanding collaboration among Caspian states is also important in terms of establishing a world order based on multipolarity. This interrelation will aid in bolstering the standing of new world development hubs.
Russian Minister reiterated that the increased cooperation between all the Caspian states will lead to extended security which in turn ensures the security of greater Eurasia.
“The joint work of the Caspian countries makes a significant contribution to ensuring security, stability, and sustainable development on the Eurasian continent,” Sergey Lavrov said.
He discussed the current common difficulties that the Caspian coastal countries face. These are environmental issues, such as the Caspian Sea’s shallowing and the preservation of its biological richness. To address these concerns, each nation in the region must work together.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia noted that it is essential that the Caspian subject is a priority for all of us. The presidents and heads of state of the five Caspian nations often discuss it.
He added that cooperation in this format received a significant boost during the 6th Caspian Summit, which was held in Ashgabat in June 2022, and the 2nd Caspian Economic Forum, which was organized in Moscow in October 2022. We intend to develop this path further following the third Caspian Economic Forum, which will be scheduled in Tehran.
“According to the 2018 Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, exclusively we five countries have sole authority in resolving Caspian Sea issues. We regard this as the foundation of the growing Caspian community and an assurance of participation in the region’s development”, Lavrov stated.
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The foreign ministers of Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan attended the 12th summit of the Caspian Sea’s littoral countries, which was headed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Maha Afzal Chaudhary is a contributor author on TDI
