Rouhani Urges Littoral States to Prevent Trans-Regional Deployment in Caspian Sea

TEHRAN (ST)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on the Caspian Sea littoral states to prevent the presence and deployment of trans-regional states’ military forces in the Caspian Sea to maintain peace and stability in the lake.

“We shouldn’t allow the security of the Sea and its coasts depend on variables other than the collective and common interests of the littoral states and the welfare, health and tranquility of its people be affected by these variables; therefore, I propose cooperation in this regard and calling the Sea as the Sea of peace and development,” Rouhani said, addressing a summit of five Caspian Sea littoral states in Astarakhan, Russia, on Monday.

He underlined that guaranteed peace, stability and security of the Caspian Sea depends on fundamental principles, including avoidance of arms race and using armed forces, monopoly of navigation for the vessels which sail under the flags of the littoral states, banning the presence of foreign military forces, freedom of sailing, behavior on the basis of equal footings and finally adopting coordinated policies.

Rouhani left New York for Astrakhan Sunday morning to participate in the 4th summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states.

“I will discuss various topics with my counterparts in the Caspian Sea summit and we will God willingly reach acceptable results,” the Iranian president said upon arrival in Astarakhan Airport.

The Iranian president wrapped up his visit to New York on Sunday morning where he attended the 69th Annual Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are the littoral states of the Caspian Sea.

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water by area, and is variously classed as the world’s largest lake or a full-fledged sea.

The issue of the Caspian Sea’s legal regime has gained importance following the breakup of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the emergence of newly independent states.

FNA

 M. Wassouf