Azerbaijan, Baku, May 7 / Trend , T.Jafarov/
Interview Trend with Director of the Central Shipping Office of Iranian Gilan Province Farhad Muntasir Kukhsari
Trend : The first meeting of heads of Caspian Sea ports was held in the Enzeli city of Gilan province in Iran. What was the objective of the meeting, and what agreement was achieved?
Farhad Muntasir Kukhsari: This was the first meeting of heads of Caspian ports. The meeting was attended by Iran's Deputy Minister of Transport and Director of the Central Shipping and Ports Office, heads of Gilan and Mazandaran provinces, leaders of shipping companies of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and representatives of private companies. The meeting was held in an atmosphere of friendship and sincerity. The main purpose of the discussion was more cooperation between the littoral countries in the field of transport. This is a matter of interest at the meeting. Participants of the meeting stated that they support the development of cooperation in this field.
Q: Was a contract signed between the Caspian littoral states at the last meeting?
A: Yes, heads of the Caspian ports signed a protocol consisting of 15 articles at the end of the meeting. According to protocol, the permanent Secretariat of the meeting of Caspian ports will be located in Iran. The Secretariat will operate to hold annual meetings and coordinate the work of the Caspian ports. Under the protocol, the meeting will be held every year in different countries (alternately).
At the first meeting it was decided to hold a second meeting of heads of ports in the next year at the port of Olya in Russia. The report reflects cooperation of Caspian states in the sphere of freight, simplify the system for loading and unloading, reducing the cost of port operations, increase of cargo transportation in the region to make more intensive use of transport corridor, providing opportunities for private companies to build the port infrastructure in the Caspian Sea countries, scientific cooperation in the field of navigation, provision of maintenance courts and the fight against pollution of the Caspian oil. In addition, the Protocol includes joint trainings preventing possible accidents between the Caspian littoral states. The meeting discussed the establishment of joint shipping associations with participation of private companies. In order to improve customer service the protocol also reflects simplification of documentation process. Participants of the meeting supported the development of freight transport on the North-South Corridor.
Q: Did Iran and Azerbaijan hold bilateral discussions within the framework of the meeting? Was a agreement was signed between the two countries?
A: I want to say that all above mentioned issues were supported by heads of the Caspian ports, and they all agreed on enhancing cooperation in the field of shipping services in the Caspian. This includes both multilateral and bilateral cooperation between Iran, Azerbaijan and other countries. Caspian Sea is general. A peace and security has been established in the sea. Sea's wealth belongs to all littoral countries.
The cooperation of Caspian states will have an impact on neighboring countries. Special meetings with participation of private companies were held as part of the meetings. The purpose of the meeting was heads of the Caspian ports have close ties with each other. Today, the world's growing digital divide. Shipping plays a key role in the world. About 90 percent of goods delivered by sea. Five Caspian littoral countries should strengthen cooperation in this area.
Q: How do you estimate Iran's activity in the Caspian Sea? Does Iran want to create a fleet in the Caspian Sea?
A: Implementation of any work depends on its economic and financial sources. The fact that Iran imports needed products via the Caspian Sea makes it necessary to create own fleet. In order to ensure the country's goods, we must develop its shipping on the Caspian Sea. For us, it is necessary. This work may lead to the development of all spheres in the region. The most important of the same areas is the issue of tourism development in the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea has a great potential for tourism development. From this point of view, the navigation should be developed. Creation of the Navy could contribute to the development of this sphere. Realization of this issue can be useful for all the Caspian countries.
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