Summit of Heads of Caspian littoral States was held in Baku

Summit of Heads of Caspian-littoral states was held in Baku. 

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedow attended the Summit meeting. 

Participants of the event had their official photos taken first.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made an opening speech at the Summit

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev:

Dear heads of state,

Dear guests, distinguished friends,

I greet you all wholeheartedly in Azerbaijan. Welcome to Azerbaijan!

Today’s meeting is a very remarkable event. This meeting has a crucial importance for the development of friendly, good neighborhood relations between our countries. Throughout the centuries, peoples of our countries lived and created together.

We are neighbors and united by friendship and friendly neighborhood ties. I am very pleased that today these ties are elevated to higher level.

Azerbaijan forged mutually beneficial, working and friendly relationship with neighbors and it gets stronger and stronger. The current meeting has a tremendous importance from the point of view of regional co-operation. I am confident that it will have outstanding results.

The Caspian Sea, which unites us is a sea of friendship and co-operation. I am confident that the Summit of Heads of State of Caspian countries will become an important step to ensure peace and security in the Caspian and deepen co-operation. A very active work is under way to define legal status of the Caspian Sea. Task force continues its work. I hope that practical results will be attained in this respect in future. To date, pending legal status of the Caspian did not impact on the friendly relations between us. Our relations are multifaceted. Obviously, we would like very much to see the soonest resolution of Caspian legal status, and we will continue our efforts in this direction.

Besides that, I should point out that for the time being, important steps have been taken between Azerbaijan and Russian, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as well as Russia and Kazakhstan for sectoral division of the Caspian. Three countries have solved this issue between themselves. I hope that this excellent experience can serve as a basis in the future, and the current legal basis can play a positive role in defining the legal status of the Caspian.

The co-operation deepens in the field of transportation. Azerbaijan participates both in North-South and East-West transport corridor. Besides that, we create a modern transport infrastructure in the country. In this regard, construction of motorways, development of maritime transport, reconstruction of railway transport and construction of new railways get a priority meaning.

Recently, the construction of a new large Trade Port has started in Baku. Indeed, this Port will serve the interests of all Caspian countries. At the first stage, goods handling capacity of the Port will be 10 million tons. The last phase can enable to handle 25 million tons of goods via this Port. Thus, Azerbaijan would contribute to our common cause by constructing the Port.

Parallel to that, the construction of a new modern ship-building yard is launched in Baku. I do hope that its construction will be completed in near future and thus, a new sophisticated infrastructure will be created on the Caspian for solving goods transportation issues in any quantities. We are the active participants of both North-South and East-West corridors and we will continue to pay our efforts to unite transport systems.

At the same time, today, there are many rumors about energy resources of the Caspian. The Caspian disposes the richest natural resources.

All Caspian countries are abundant by energy resources. Our countries meet not only their own needs, but contribute very significantly to the world energy security. Oil and gas, produced in our countries have practically a decisive influence on world energy market. We try to unite our efforts. All of us are producers, and obviously, our interests coincide with the interests of consumers. We do not compete with each other in the field of energy resources. On the contrary, we co-operate successfully.

This co-operation serves all interests of our countries. Azerbaijan runs its multifaceted activities related to the transportation of energy resources. We strive to contribute to the energy security issues. We have created a modern infrastructure for delivery of oil and gas resources of Azerbaijan to worldwide markets by various routes. This infrastructure can be also presented to ensure interests of neighboring countries. It means that we are ready to offer our transit capabilities for neighbors.

Today, it is obvious that fostering of economic ties has a tremendous meaning for turning the Caspian into the sea of co-operation. Economic relations, existing between us are being strengthened in this field. It is natural to see some decline in trade turnover due to the crisis. But this is a temporary effect. I am confident that we will restore successes in all fields in the nearest future.

We implement large-scale programs in Azerbaijan to improve environmental status of the Caspian. I can say that this year is declared as the Year of Ecology in Azerbaijan and large-scale environmental measures are envisaged in this regard. In particular, cleaning of the part of the Caspian sea, polluted by waste waters and oil, and installation of modern sewerage system contribute to our common cause. Environmental issues had always a particular place at Summits. Of course, today, we will exchange views on this issue as well. To put it short, we are trying in Azerbaijan to bring our contribution to the improvement of environmental situation at the Caspian.

We work actively to increase security measures at the Caspian. The document that will be signed today will cover indeed these issues. The Caspian is a sea of peace, welfare and stability and it should remain so. We ensure security measures at the sea by our own resources. I think that the cooperation of Caspian countries in this field can be highly assessed. Being in close relationship both in bilateral and multilateral formats, our relevant public institutions pay their efforts to foster security measures at the Caspian.

Dear friends, I think that the cooperation of Caspian countries can be highly valued in general. I would like to reiterate that all of us are friendly countries, neighbors to each other and live in this region. We have common history. Our peoples are closely linked to each other. We are united both by history and current interests. I am sure that today’s Summit will mark a very significant contribution to developing not only the Caspian issues, but the full spectrum of relations. I greet you sincerely once again and wish successes to our Summit.

XXX

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed his deep thanks to the head of state Ilham Aliyev for high level hospitality. Stressing the necessity of uniting further the efforts of Caspian countries which made special contributions to the development of world civilization, the President of Iran said:

We can ensure all our common interests, including the legal status issue of the Caspian sea, the security at the Caspian, fight against crimes and illegal circulation of drugs as well as the issue of development of economic, cultural and scientific co-operation by relying upon the same values and beliefs. Since good agreements obtained at the Tehran Summit till present times, we observe fostering of the co-operation of five counties in defining new directions of interaction in such fields as environment protection, security and in economic scientific and cultural fields. Consistent implementation of co-operation in these directions and discovery of new opportunities are in line with all our interests.

I would propose to add the agenda the creation of joint shipping companies, defining of preferential regime of customs duties, increase of trade turnover, uniting routes for transportation of oil and chemical products as well as developing and broadening of ties between peoples in the fields of tourism, culture and sport.

Presenting his proposals related to the tasks that lie ahead, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said:

I would propose to finalize completely and fully all issues related to the agreement on legal status of the Caspian next year. For this purpose, the meetings of five should be continued for the sake of a stronger guarantee to obtain a fair and long term agreement of all issues pertaining to it. The economic co-operation based upon potential, resources and national currencies of participating countries can reduce the damage made by international economic systems and open up new opportunities.

Joint fight again factors challenging stability and security at the Caspian and prevention of access to foreign actors are the most important elements to ensure security and peace at the Caspian Sea and in our countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to co-operate in all fields on the basis of precisely elaborated programs.

I would like to renew my thanks to His Excellency Mr.Ilham Aliyev, my dear brother, Distinguished President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for sincere reception and hospitality. I am hopeful that meetings, co-operation and interaction between participants will yield good results.

I pray the Almighty to bestow peace, security, prosperity and joy upon all peoples. I thank you all for your attention.

XXX

President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed his deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for hospitality and high level organization of the event. Head of Kazakhstan state highlighted a strong importance of full and comprehensive resolution of all issues related to the Caspian sea by saying:

First of all, we should solve fully issues related to the Caspian legal status. The unique character of this water basin is not limited by abundant hydrocarbon reserves and the largest population of sturgeon species in the world. The Caspian linked peoples living on its shores and has been the sea of friendship and stability throughout centuries.

Common efforts of Caspian states to live in the conditions of peace and friendly neighborhood are reflected in the Declaration adopted by the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan at the Tehran Summit on October 16, 2007. The signature of this document became a remarkable event in the history of co-operation between littoral states. It created strong foundations to broaden interaction in the field of wider co-operation issues and foster security in the Caspian basin.

The Tehran Summit discovered a huge potential in activating five-sided co-operation in all aspects of Caspian problems and proved to the entire international community that the current issues of Caspian states can be solved only by peaceful means in the constructive spirit on the basis of mutual understanding and consensus. During the periods between Summits, an important work was carried out in Astrakhan in October 2008 such as the first intergovernmental economic conference of Caspian states, draft agreement on co-operation in the field of security at the Caspian sea as well as the preparation of additional protocols to the Framework Convention on Environmental Protection of the Caspian sea.

In the days to come, the third conference of sides agreeing on the Framework Convention will be held in Kazakhstan. It is envisaged to sign at least two of four additional protocols at the conference.

Head of Kazakhstan state stressed the importance to intensify the activities of a special working group that deals with the Caspian legal status by saying:

We agreed that heads of state will meet at least one time per year, and such meetings will be quite effective and beneficial. In this regard, I propose to give instructions to the ministries of foreign affairs to hold at least five times per year as envisaged in the rules elaborated at the meetings of special working groups. It is necessary to reflect this relevant agreement in today’s joint statement.

I would like to support the proposals of Iranian President. Kazakhstan side supports the soonest resolution of Caspian legal status on the basis of consensus and mutual benefit for all littoral countries. We are ready to participate in all meetings and events of various formats proposed by our Caspian partners.

Dear heads of state, the issue about necessity of reviewing the mechanism of quotas for sturgeon species fishing were raised at the Tehran meeting.

Taking into consideration the daily decline in numbers of these rare “residents” of the Caspian sea, Kazakhstan proposes to apply a temporary five sided moratorium for the period of five years at least on sturgeon fishing. Such decision will make possible to restore the population of sturgeon species and keep it for future generations. By the way, it is necessary to substantiate scientifically and legally the co-operation in combating the poaching by signing five sided treaty on the use of biological resources of the Caspian, its protection and reproduction.

President Nursultan Nazarbayev called upon event participants to increase further their efforts for the positive resolution of issues put on agenda by saying:

Dear friends! I am confident that initiative and proposals that will be voiced at the current meeting will be reflected in concrete documents and practical work. Effective and constructive mutual activities, fostering of friendship between Caspian peoples will elevate the regional co-operation between our states at a new level.

The common goal unites all of us gathered to the capital of brotherly Azerbaijan in order to obtain stability and security in the Caspian region and ensure prosperity of our peoples.

Today, we made another step in this direction.

All documents such as the agreement and our statement that will be signed today are another important step made in this direction.

Thank you for your attention.

XXX

Expressing his deep thanks to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for excellent organization and hospitality extended during the third Summit of Heads of State of the Caspian countries, the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev stressed his confidence over positive results of the Baku Summit. Relying upon the practice of previous Summits, the head of Russian state highlighted the importance of constant nature of exchange of points of view related to the issues of agenda and stressed the crucial importance of a document to be signed in Baku by saying:

Of course, the main topic of such Summits is to define a new legal status that will meet the current geopolitical realities of the Caspian sea, and we have done some work with you in this respect and agreed in principle over several important issues.

As far as our future progress is concerned, my dear colleagues, I would like to assure you that we – I suppose the Russian Federation – will do all our possible to reach a consent over all important items of our future agreement and adoption of the Convention related to the legal status of the Caspian. It means all issues, including delimitation of seabed and waters as well as common rules related to the military activities at sea, shipping operating and fishing. We have forwarded already our proposals and made additions to the proposals and initiatives of the President of Kazakhstan concerning the delimitation of waters. In this respect, we conduct a dialogue. I think that today the Caspian Five approaches to the resolution of main issue related to the width and regime of national maritime strip because it is primordial for us. I am confident that though there is some divergence in our positions, we can find an agreement. First of all, this is linked to the fact that we are neighbor. We should be true friends. Secondly, we should have more effective economy at the Caspian sea.

President Dmitry Medvedev noted the necessity of speeding up the negotiations process related to a new Convention of Caspian countries and said that Russia would spare no efforts in obtaining final result.

Our duty does not mean only to divide the sea, its waters and seabed. Our task is to take care on maintaining rare environmental status and use efficiently maritime natural resources. Nursultan Abishevich has just noted it and I do agree that we should not allow the degradation of rare biological composition to happen. Let’s think about what we can do and which additional obligations we can assume because now we are talking about our responsibility in front of future generation of our countries’ citizens and not just about our current work.

Head of Russian state noted the full coincidence of views with his colleagues on broadening trade and economic co-operation of Caspian countries and said:

As it was in the past Russia thinks that we need a relevant regional institution that will unite all of use to advance further all issues. We hope that this proposal will be discussed vividly by our colleagues sitting behind the table. This institution can activate not only regional integration processes, but stimulate also the resolution of very different issues on agenda.

I would like to express once again my gratitude to you, Ilham Heydar oglu, for your initiative to hold here our meeting, and I hope that such meetings will be held regularly and we will e able to fulfill the tasks standing in front of us. Thank you.

XXX

Thanking deeply President Ilham Aliyev for good organization and hospitality of the third Summit of Heads of State of Caspian countries, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed the constructive character of talks in general by saying:

The constructive work is under way to elaborate the draft Convention on Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. Today, sides have reached a consensus over large part of items in the document. The draft of the Five Sided Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Security at the Caspian Sea is adjusted already among all sides. The signature of the Framework Convention on Protection of Maritime Environment should be also considered as our joint achievements.

Today, experts of Caspian states work actively on the preparation of drats of additional protocols. All these facts show that there is a large partnership potential to strengthen effective mutual ties, and our countries are ready for it.

Besides that, Turkmenistan proposes to start the elaboration of draft agreements aimed at further legal regulation of various types of activities at the Caspian. For instance, we think it necessary to begin the preparation of draft agreement on maintaining biological reserves of the Caspian sea and its efficient use. The adoption of that agreement will allow creating a strong legal basis for interaction in this field.

To put it more concretely, this will allow ensuring to agree in five sided format the norms on using biological reserves, including division of sturgeon species between Caspian states and definition of fishing quotas on the basis of international law norms. During the years of 2007-2008 when we chaired the Commission on Biological Water Reserves of the Caspian sea, Turkmenistan proposed new methods in this regard.

We think it worthwhile to start the elaboration of draft Agreement on Co-operation in prevention of emergencies cases and mitigation of its consequences in order to co-ordinate actions of Caspian states in case of emergency situations or risk of its happening.

President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov informed the participants about the position of Turkmenistan on still pending issues of legal status of Caspian by saying:

First of all, I would talk about the division of Caspian seabed and its depths. While discussing this problem, Turkmenistan is guided by the fact that the delimitation at the Caspian should rely upon universally recognized international law norms and principles of taking into account mutual respect and interests of partners.

In this case, I would like to note in particular that we are against politicizing any pending issue related to the Caspian sea. In particular, the division of Caspian seabed and its depths is the legal problem that should be solved by peaceful, diplomatic and legal means and methods.

Secondly, it is a principal issue for us to construct pipelines on the Caspian seabed. Turkmenistan is firmly sure that the issue of constructing sub sea pipeline at the Caspian can be done via the consent of sides which own the relevant parts of seabed crossed by the said pipeline. It is obvious that the highest international environmental standards and norms will be respected in such case.

In third place, we have the division of waters of the Caspian. The principal position of Turkmenistan is explained by the fact that the waters of Caspian sea are divided into internal waters, territorial sea and common water area. In this case, we stand for the width of territorial sea to be up to 20 maritime miles. Territorial sea should be under full sovereignty of a relevant littoral state. The external line of territorial sea should be considered as the state border.

Stressing the sustainable stability and security of the Caspian as a primordial goal, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov thanked in particular the heads of state of Caspian countries by saying:

In this respect, I would like to express my special gratitude to the esteemed Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation participating in this event for their personal contributions to the development of constructive partnership at the Caspian. Today we do not have some closed or uncomfortable topics between ourselves. We talk sincerely and openly about all aspects of Caspian problems as true friends and friendly neighbors. Our current Summit confirms it fully.

I am confident that this Summit will be an important milestone in developing friendship and co-operation of Caspian states. It will boost our common determination to turn the Caspian into the region of peace and prosperity.

Thank you for your attention.

XXX

Following the third Summit of heads of state of Caspian countries, the signature ceremony of documents took place in Baku.