THE REGULAR WORKING MEETING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CASPIAN STATES TOOK PLACE AT THE MFA OF TURKMENISTAN

On the 25th of February 2019, the fourth meeting of the authorized representatives of Caspian states on negotiating the Draft of the Protocol on cooperation in the area of combatting illegal extraction of biological resources (poaching) in the Caspian Sea started at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The representatives of relevant ministries and structural agencies of Turkmenistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation are taking part in the meeting.

It is necessary to note that based on the initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov documents and relevant projects on strengthening cooperation on the Caspian are consistently developed and the legal-regulatory basis is being formed and perfected. In Turkmenistan, the Caspian Sea is regarded as the Sea of peace, friendship and security.

In the beginning of the mentioned meeting, guests expressed gratitude to Turkmen side for organizing the talks and for the hospitality. As is known, Turkmenistan attaches great importance to cooperation on the Caspian sea, protecting and maintaining its unique biodiversity. In August of current year, the First Caspian Economic Forum is to be held in the National Touristic Zone “Avaza” according to the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan that will, undoubtedly, highly contribute to the improvement of political, economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation between the countries of the region. 

Discussing the Draft of the Protocol on cooperation in the area of combatting illegal extraction of biological resources (poaching) in the Caspian Sea holds an important place in the agenda of mutual cooperation of Caspian States. During the session, the parties noted that this Protocol is developed in accordance with the Agreement on Security Cooperation in the Caspian Sea, while reaching the consensus on the Draft of the Protocol is the main goal of current meeting. The participants of the negotiations also stressed that successful settlement of the Draft is demanded at high levels that is reflected in the Communiqué of the Fifth Caspian Summit. 

Tomorrow, the meeting of the authorized representatives of Caspian states on negotiating the Draft of the Protocol on cooperation in the area of combatting illegal extraction of biological resources (poaching) in the Caspian Sea will continue.