Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct. 2 / Trend H.Hasanov /
On the scale of the military equipment of all the other Caspian countries' fleets, Turkmenistan's step to build naval forces "seems the least possible measure", Turkmen President, Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov stated, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper wrote.
"We like any other country, which has access to the sea. We need the ships to patrol our marine borders to maintain the necessary level of security and prevent terrorism, to combat organized poaching crime and to prevent drug trafficking organizations. And no more. Scaly growth of the naval forces is and will be out of the question."
Berdimuhammedov noted that the very term "Turkmen Navy" is not quite correct.
"You know, during the division of the former Soviet Union's military-technical base, all fighting ships of the Caspian flotilla fell on their old port of registration, Baku and Astrakhan. Only two or three frontier boats accounted for Turkmenistan. Thus, reference "the Turkmen Navy" has been inapplicable for a long time because of the absence of the fleet itself. Regarding the current process of technological upgrading, there is not controversy or sensation here."
According to the president, the Caspian littoral countries are in constant negotiation regarding the maritime delimitation and conservation of the Caspian bio-resources and the process of creating disarmament area in the sea.
"It is difficult process, but it constantly develops. I believe we all are on the right path and be able to make the Caspian a sea of peace and harmony."
In August, 2009, Berdimuhammedov signed a decree to establish a military-naval base in the Caspian coast, which will be equipped with modern surveillance equipment and ships with missiles on board. The president stressed that Turkmenistan, along with land borders also has a long maritime border, which must be carefully guarded.
"Turkmenistan does not make territorial claims towards any country and does not consider any country as its enemy. Turkmenistan considers its borders as those of peace, friendship and good neighborhood," Berdimuhamedov said.
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