Foreign Ministry: Turkmenistan is always ready for dialogue with partners on the whole spectrum of the Caspian agenda
Holding events in Turkmenistan on the occasion of the Caspian Sea Day with the participation of ambassadors and diplomats from the Caspian countries, international and regional organizations, and the expert community is not just a tribute to tradition. This is evidence of the great importance and attention that Turkmenistan pays to the issues of the Caspian Sea, which are among the priorities of its domestic and foreign policy today. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, speaking at the international conference on the Caspian Sea, held on August 12 in Avaza.
"Our country is always ready for dialogue with partners on all topics of the Caspian agenda, is open to discussing various opinions and constructive proposals," the Foreign Minister said.
Turkmenistan puts an extremely concrete meaning into the well–known and indisputable formula "The Caspian Sea is a space of peace, good-neighborliness and cooperation", the Minister continued.
Our country stands for a comprehensive approach to the issues of the Caspian agenda, including all the main areas – security, economic development, ecology, navigation, rational use of biological reserves, emergency prevention, and other equally important topics.
Turkmenistan is convinced that today the main task is to maximize the use of the established mechanisms of cooperation in the Caspian Sea, reflected primarily in the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. The key role in coordinating this work is assigned to the foreign ministries of the Caspian littoral States.
"Frankly speaking, in the five years that have passed since the adoption of the Convention, we cannot state noticeable results here. This situation needs to be changed using the available capabilities and formats. The most important agreements reached by the heads of state should be fully implemented," Meredov stressed and expressed hope that the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Caspian States planned this year at the initiative of the Russian Federation will take place before the end of the year.
"We consider it necessary to consider at the above-mentioned meeting, first of all, issues related to the practical implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and the other five-party documents adopted by the Caspian countries. In addition, we believe it is necessary to identify a platform for developing measures aimed at improving the environmental situation in the Caspian Sea," the minister said.
Turkmenistan demonstrates a firm commitment to friendship and cooperation in the Caspian Sea, turning this region into one of the most important centers of mutually beneficial economic development of Eurasia, free from political upheavals, environmental risks, a place for broad constructive partnership in a number of areas of global importance.
Broad, multidisciplinary international cooperation in the Caspian Sea is a unifying factor that objectively reflects the needs of all its participants. In this sense, the Caspian littoral states and international partners have an extensive field for joint work. "Our country is ready for it, using the accumulated world experience, centuries-old traditions of good neighborliness and mutual understanding," the head of the MFA summed up.
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