Turkmenistan hopes FMs of Caspian Five to meet by late 2023

Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov has expressed hope for holding the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Caspian countries initiated by Russia before the end of the year.

He made the remarks at the International Conference "Caspian Sea - Sea of Peace and Friendship" held in the National Tourist Zone "Avaza" in Turkmenistan, Caliber.Az reports, citing the press service of Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry.

Meredov emphasized the importance of the active use of existing cooperation mechanisms in the Caspian Sea, especially in the context of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.

"Turkmenistan is convinced that today the main task is to maximize the use of the established mechanisms of cooperation in the Caspian Sea, reflected primarily in the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. The key role in coordinating this work is assigned to the foreign ministries of the Caspian littoral states," Meredov said.

Expressing concern over the slow progress since the adoption of the Convention five years ago, Meredov emphasized the need for active action to implement the agreements reached by the leaders of the countries.

"Frankly speaking, in the five years since the adoption of the Convention, we cannot state any noticeable results here. This situation needs to be changed using the available opportunities and formats. The most important agreements reached by the heads of state should be fully implemented," the Turkmen foreign minister emphasized.

In this regard, Meredov recalled that "a meeting of foreign ministers of the Caspian littoral states was planned this year at the initiative of the Russian Federation".

"Turkmenistan responded positively to this initiative in a timely manner and fully supported it. Unfortunately, the meeting has not yet taken place. We hope that it will be held before the end of the year," Meredov said.

Meredov believes it is necessary "to consider at the above meeting, first of all, issues related to the practical implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and other five-party documents adopted by the Caspian littoral states."