04 November 2003 21:10
Caspian Sea littoral states reach agreement on environment - Russian comment
Tehran, 4 November: Following a two-day meeting, plenipotentiary representatives of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and
Azerbaijan have signed a framework convention on the protection of the Caspian Sea marine environment.
This document is the first legal multilateral document which determines the future efforts of the Caspian Sea
littoral states to preserve the environment of this unique reservoir.
Deputy Natural Resources Minister Ivano Glumov, who headed the Russian delegation at the meeting, told Ria-Novosti
that "the provisions of the convention enable other states to join the document within a year. The document is
still to be ratified by the parliaments of the Caspian Sea littoral states".
"Turkmenistan took part in the meeting but did not sign the convention because there was no permission from
Turkmen President Saparmyrat Nyyazow," the Russian representative said.
He also noted that "the convention will not come into force until Asgabat signs and ratifies this
document".
Glumov believes that "today's signing of the document will lay the foundation for a future step towards
concluding a future mainframe document on the legal status of the Caspian Sea".
[RIA news agency] |
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