Presidents of 5 Countries Sign Aktau Convention

The summit of the Caspian states was held in Aktau this weekend, seeing the heads of the "Caspian Five" sign a convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

The ministers of defense and national security signed an agreement on combating terrorism in the Caspian Sea, as well as a protocol on combating organized crime in the Caspian region.

The ministers of economy signed an agreement between the governments of the states on trade and economic cooperation.

The ministers of transport signed an agreement between the governments on cooperation in the field of transport.

Overall, during the Fifth Caspian Summit, the following documents were signed:

1. Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.

2. Protocol on cooperation in the field of combating terrorism in the Caspian Sea.

3. Protocol on cooperation in the field of combating organized crime in the Caspian Sea.

4. Agreement between the governments of the Caspian states on trade and economic cooperation.

5. Agreement between the governments of the Caspian states on cooperation in the field of transport.

6. Agreement on the prevention of incidents in the Caspian Sea.

7. Protocol on cooperation and interaction of border agencies.

The meeting coincided with the International Day of the Caspian Sea.

“This is a day of important historical decisions,” said Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan. “Today we consider three main topics: the legal status of the Caspian Sea. Under this item, we will sum up the results of the multi-year process; resources of the Caspian Sea; and regional international themes. The adoption of the convention is evidence of friendly relations between the Caspian states. Kazakhstan is ready to further promote friendly relations based on trust,” he stated in his opening speech.

By Dimitri Dolaberidze