Putin calls on Caspian states to strengthen cooperation

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the leaders of the Caspian states Wednesday to strengthen cooperation in politics, security, the economy and the environment.

Speaking at the 2022 Summit of the Caspian States in Turkmenistan's capital of Ashgabat, Putin said Russia "has always been in favor" of deepening the partnership relations of the Caspian "five" -- Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan.

The Russian leader supported the idea of Kazakh and Azerbaijani presidents increasing the capacity for a rapid response to natural and man-made incidents in the Caspian Sea.

He suggested holding a meeting of the countries -- signatories of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, also known as the 2003 Tehran Convention, which serves as a legal basis for addressing different issues in the Caspian region.

Putin noted the necessity to address ecological problems, including the reduction of the sturgeon population and the protection of marine mammals and birds for the purification of seawater.

Moscow is for speeding up the implementation of already signed documents on such important areas as the fight against terrorism and organized crime and the prevention of maritime crimes, he said.

Regarding the development of the region's energy resources, he said Caspian countries have already implemented agreements on joint exploitation of oil and gas fields located in the Caspian Sea.

Russia considers the main tasks of the countries included in the Caspian "five" to continue building economic ties, he said.

"In this context, the significant role assigned to the Caspian Economic Forum, created with the initiative of the ex-President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov,” he said. "The first such event took place in 2019 in Turkmenbashi. And it is planned to hold the second forum in Moscow in the autumn. I am grateful to my colleagues for supporting this proposal.”

Caspian countries have a lot to do to improve the transport infrastructure, which in turn will contribute to the development of tourism in the region, said Putin.

He invited the other leaders to consider the possibility of organizing cultural projects, including a film festival.

Ahead of the summit, Putin met Berdimuhamedov to wish him a happy birthday and present gifts.

He also held talks with the acting head of state of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov before the opening of the 6th Caspian Summit.