Editor's Note: Details added to the article
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 3 / Trend M.Aliyev /
The Caspian littoral countries are agreeing on a draft cooperation agreement in maritime security.
Today, Baku is hosting the fourth meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of the five Caspian littoral countries to agree on a draft agreement on security cooperation in the Caspian Sea.
"We will work on the remaining open questions during today's meeting," Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov said during the opening of the event.
He added that the meetings are being held in a constructive atmosphere under conditions of mutual understanding and at the highest level.
In November 2003, the Caspian countries signed the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea.
In July 1998, Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the northern part of the Caspian Sea in order to exercise sovereign rights for subsoil use.
On Nov. 29, 2001 and Feb.27, 2003, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on the delimitation of adjacent sections of the Caspian Sea on May 14, 2003.
Khalafov expressed confidence that the agreement will provide a sound base for the littoral states in the ensuring security of the Caspian Sea.
"We hope that we can submit a document on this issue for discussion at the summit of the heads of Caspian states to be held on Nov. 18 in Baku," he said.
According to Khalafov, Azerbaijan is preparing to organize the summit at the highest level.
