Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 4
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:
The Caspian theme has been under discussion by authorised representatives of the Caspian countries, namely Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkmenistan in Ashgabat on March 3.
The Turkmen government reported that the draft agreement on cooperation in the field of preventing an emergency situation and dealing with the outcome on the Caspian Sea was debated.
Earlier, experts from the Caspian-littoral countries agreed on specific points of the draft agreement given the proposals and comments of state bodies of the countries and offered scientific, legal and linguistic expertise, according to the statement.
The draft agreement in this area was initiated and developed by the Turkmen side.
Moreover, Turkmenistan is considering creating a new mechanism for environmental cooperation such as international environmental dialogue over the Caspian Sea under the UN aegis to utilise efforts of the Caspian littoral countries.
The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland water reservoir not linked to any world ocean. It is unique for preserving various relict flora and fauna, including the world's largest shoal of sturgeon.
Experts think that there are a number of prerequisites for possible pollution of the Caspian Sea. Among those are the development of hydrocarbon reserves in the sea and the surrounding areas, the high density of population and industry in the adjacent areas, intensive agricultural development in the valleys which have rivers flowing into them, the lack of a river to the sea which is an explicit geochemical barrier and a closed basin.
Turkmenistan ranks fourth in terms of the largest natural gas reserves in the world. A gas transportation route to Europe via the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan is one of the most attractive. The Turkmen side expressed its readiness to hold a proper environmental review to implement this project.
Translated by NH
Edited by SM