OFFICIAL NEWS
SPEECH OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AT SECOND SUMMIT OF CASPIAN LITTORAL STATES
Honorable Mr. President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
Honorable Heads of State,
Dear friends,
I cordially greet you all at the Summit of the Heads of the Caspian littoral states and wish success to its work.
I am grateful to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the hospitality and organizing the Summit on a high level.
The first Summit of the heads of the Caspian littoral states held in 2002 in Ashgabat was an important event in the life of our countries. That meeting fostered an exchange of views on a number of principal issues related to determination of the legal status of the Caspian Sea.
During the passed period, expert groups on Deputy Foreign Ministers level have done effective work. Quite a number of bilateral meetings have been held on the level of littoral states’ Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of State. I believe that great experience has been gained and favorable condition has been created to discuss and make decisions on such a significant issue as the legal status of the Caspian Sea.
I hope the Tehran Summit that we have now gathered for will allow us to unify all the efforts and opportunities, bring our positions closer and achieve serious results for solution of tasks we face in connection with this important issue.
It should be noted that definition of the legal status of the Caspian Sea is important not only for development and prosperity of the states of the region and strengthening interstate relations but also in terms of preservation of its biodiversity, rich flora and fauna and improvement of its ecological situation.
Due to its location, the Caspian Sea has a special importance for the whole region. There is no doubt that in terms of future development of the region, achieving the understanding and agreement on the status of the Caspian Sea will further strengthen mutual confidence, peace and security, and pave the way for closer cooperation.
Important steps regarding the formation of general principles of the cooperation in the Caspian Sea have been taken since the middle of the last century. According to the mutual agreement, the Caspian Sea was divided into sectors on the median line principle among the ally republics. The use of the Caspian Sea by dividing it into sectors was applied in treaty practice of littoral states.
Since the 40s of the last century, the exploration and exploitation of all oil and gas fields have been realized by Azerbaijani oilmen. Azerbaijan began industrial production of oil and gas in the Caspian Sea in 1949.
In recent years, the Caspian littoral states have been realizing relevant ecological, economic, scientific and technological work by continuing the practice established in the Caspian Sea. But the necessity of protection of unique character of the Caspian Sea demand more effective measures.
We always keep in focus the issues regarding the definition of the legal status of the Caspian Sea. In this regard, we attach great importance to the Agreements signed by Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan on the delimitation of the seabed. These agreements are significant parts of the legal status of the Caspian Sea, while establishing grounds for the general arrangements.
Taking into consideration that the Caspian Sea has been the sea of friendship and cooperation, I consider it necessary to use it only for peaceful purposes, the determination of demilitarization and security principles in the legal framework, as well as free transit opportunities in the framework of general arrangements for the vessels of the littoral states which have no access to other seas and world ocean.
Stressing the importance of preservation the biological resources and environment of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan supports the expansion of cooperation in solution of ecological problems for the use and increase of biological diversity and natural resources of the Caspian Sea.
I welcome the conclusion, entry into force of the “Framework Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the Caspian Sea” and the First Conference of Parties held on May of the current year in Baku.
Azerbaijan declares its readiness to accommodate the Secretariat of the “Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea” in Baku.
Azerbaijan is a reliable neighbor and partner and we have demonstrated and proved it many times. Constant development and expansion of friendship and cooperation with neighbor countries is one of the main directions of our foreign policy.
I believe that, Tehran Summit and the Declaration to be adopted in this meeting will be the significant turning period for the development of cooperation of the Caspian States in all spheres and for the maintenance of stability and peace in the region and the Caspian Sea will become the sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
Thank you for your attention.