“This summit does not only provide an opportunity for more consultations, but it can also turn the Caspian Sea into a symbol of solidarity, friendship and good neighborliness,” said President Rouhani during the summit of the Caspian littoral states’ Leaders in Astrakhan, Russia.
He maintained that this summit places a great responsibility on the presidents of the Caspian region countries and said “we feel responsible for the Caspian Sea not only in regard to the present generation but also the future generations. As such, we are required to pass on the Caspian Sea to our next generations in a developed and safe condition.”
President Rouhani noted the necessity of collective collaboration and the coastal states’ joint investment and said, “We must concentrate on collective rather than individual activities and accept the fact that collective cooperation will lead to greater efficiency for all involved parties. To achieve this, we must define common interest in various areas, organize a common institution and proceed toward development by joint investment.”
President Rouhani stressed the importance of security and collective cooperation for maintaining peace and stability in the Caspian region and said “in addition to the coastal countries’ attempts at maintaining collective security, we must make sure that the Sea and its coasts will not fall prey to extremism and terrorism, drugs and organized crimes.”
“We must dedicate more time and attention to preserve the vulnerable environment and the unique aquatic resources of the Caspian Sea,” President Rouhani asserted, “for this reason, it is highly required of us to heed the inviolable principle of observing environmental standards in all national and regional projects.”
President Rouhani noted that “accuracy” and “speed” must be adhered to in drafting the convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea and its results must satisfy the general public expectations particularly in “delimitating maritime zones”, and “determining the scope of the seabed and subsoil”, and meet the needs of the coastal states and their collective interests.
Stressing that securing peace and stability in the Caspian Sea depends on the fundamental principles, President Rouhani said “these principles include avoidance of arms races, avoidance of the use of armed forces, monopoly for vessels sailing under the flag of the five littoral states, a ban on foreign military presence, a need for unanimous decisions, an avoidance of unilateral actions, freedom of navigation and coordination of policies.”
President Rouhani expressed hope that agreements reached in this summit will facilitate future negotiations and provide great prospects for all people in the region.
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