Representatives of the five countries discussed safety of navigation in the Caspian Sea in Ashgabat

23:1629.01.2020
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Delegations of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan took part in the sixth meeting of authorized representatives of the Caspian States to discuss the draft Protocol on cooperation in the field of Maritime safety in the Caspian Sea.

The event was organized by the Ministry of foreign Affairs, the Caspian Sea Institute and the "Turkmendenizderyayollary" Agency of the Ministry of industry and communications, the state news Agency of Turkmenistan reported.

Strengthening constructive cooperation in the Caspian Sea is one of the priority vectors of our country's foreign policy, based on the principles of positive neutrality, good neighborliness and "open doors".

The regulatory framework being formed by the coastal States is designed to help realize the multifaceted potential of the Caspian region, which is recognized as one of the dynamically developing geopolitical and economic centers of Eurasia.

The First Caspian economic forum held last year in the “Avaza” national tourist zone was another significant step towards the practical implementation of existing agreements, including the Convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

In this regard, we note that at the suggestion of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Agreements on cooperation in the field of conservation and rational use of water biological resources of the Caspian Sea, prevention and elimination of emergency situations, as well as in the trade, economic and transport spheres were prepared and subsequently signed.

During Turkmenistan's chairmanship of the Caspian regional Committee on Hydrometeorology, work on the relevant agreement was completed.

Currently, expert meetings are being held in our country to agree on draft agreements, the initiative to develop which was put forward by the Turkmen leader at the V Caspian summit, held in Aktau (Kazakhstan) – in the field of scientific research and in the conduct of search and rescue operations in the Caspian Sea.

In addition, Turkmenistan provides a negotiating platform for the development of two protocols to The agreement on security in the Caspian Sea, which was signed at the III Summit of the heads of the Caspian States, held in 2010 in Baku (Azerbaijan), in the field of combating illegal extraction of biological resources (poaching) and ensuring the safety of navigation.

The need to complete the coordination of these documents, as well as to prepare a separate agreement on cooperation in the field of Maritime transport in the Caspian Sea, and to establish regular five-party interaction between Maritime administrations is highlighted in the Communique adopted by the heads of the Caspian States following the V Caspian summit.

As President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasizes, the transport sector serves as a link in building constructive and fruitful relations between the countries of the Caspian region, which are developing in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness, and respect for each other's interests.

The special features of our countries are their favorable geographical location between Europe and Asia, which opens up great prospects in the field of transit transport, logistics services, and ensuring the effective functioning of trade corridors in the "East-West" and "North-South" directions.

Today, each of the countries is implementing major projects to create a modern multi-modal infrastructure-sea, road, rail, and air transportation of passengers and cargo.

The activation of existing transcontinental routes and the formation of new international corridors that run through the Caspian Sea will provide conditions for further dynamic socio-economic development of neighboring States, will increase their investment attractiveness, and will help strengthen regional and interregional trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, and tourist ties.

In General, all this determines the relevance of the draft Protocol on cooperation in the field of Maritime safety in the Caspian Sea prepared by the Turkmen side, the text of which was approved by regular meetings of authorized representatives of the Caspian States, three of which were also held in Ashgabat earlier, and two more in Tehran (Iran).

This document covers a wide range of issues related to such fundamental aspects as the prevention of accidents of sea vessels, the protection of the life and health of the ship's crew members and passengers, and ensuring the safety of the vehicles themselves and their cargo.

The main topic of detailed discussion of experts during the current round of three – day negotiations is the application of the main conventions and protocols of The International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the Caspian Sea.

As a specialized Agency of the United Nations, IMO is responsible for improving the reliability and safety of international commercial shipping, and provides mechanisms for cooperation between governments in the formation of rules and regulations related to technical issues of the industry and the protection of the environment in international Maritime transport.

During the exchange of views, members of the delegations expressed their support for adapting the above-mentioned documents in accordance with the special legal status of the Caspian Sea and voiced specific proposals in this regard.

Following the discussions, the meeting participants noted the progress made in the process of agreeing opinions on the draft new Protocol and its Annex.

The signing of these documents will serve to activate traditional ties between the countries of the region, which have all the opportunities for effective partnership in the transport sector – the most important segment of the world economy.

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