Littoral states close to determine Caspian legal status

By Amina Nazarli

Caspian states are close to the solution of the legal status of the sea, which is a cause of dispute for five littoral states such as Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran for over 20 years.

Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament made this statement in an exclusive interview with the Deputy Director General of TASS Mikhail Gusman.

He said that the countries are moving slowly on this issue, therefore the negotiations have been underway for years.

“There are differences on the subsoil, and these differences must be solved through negotiations. Each of the Caspian states have different components and points of view on the issue. There are also environmental issues and various aspects of the problem, which should be addressed,” Iranian speaker explained, adding that the countries are approaching to the solution of the status.

Larijani pointed that other countries have also agreed on the need for legal status of the Caspian Sea, as the lack of legal norms damages the issue.

“Now it’s necessary to make an effort, because it is a new experience, and issues on energy, mineral resources, environmental protection and military aspects occur while discussing. And if this experience is successful, it can become a model for addressing other matters,” he noted.

The Caspian region, which is recognized as one of the fastest growing geopolitical and economic centers of Eurasia, today plays a significant part in major transportation projects connecting Europe with Asia.

The uncertainty of the legal status of the Caspian Sea is one of the most discussed topics in between the five coastal states.

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on the delimitation of their respective Caspian maritime borders in 2003.

Significant progress has been achieved in drafting a convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea in September 2014.

Baku supports defining the Caspian Sea's legal status based on the sovereign rights of the littoral states, a mutually beneficial partnership, and peaceful negotiations.