Topical issues related to further interaction between the states of the Caspian region were discussed at the scientific and practical conference “The Caspian Sea – the Sea of Peace and Friendship”, which took place on August 12 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone.

 The forum dedicated to the Day of the Caspian Sea was attended by the Chairman of the Mejlis, members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, heads of ministries and departments of the country, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions, representative offices of international organizations and foreign media accredited in Turkmenistan, heads of national media.

 As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted in his welcoming address to the conference participants, “Being committed to the internationally recognized legal status of permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan will continue its efforts to ensure that the Caspian remains a sea of peace, harmony and cooperation.  In this regard, our country puts forward initiatives aimed at strengthening and expanding ties between the Caspian states, demonstrating its readiness for close partnership in priority sectors of the economy – energy, transport and logistics, industry, and trade.”

 Serdar Berdimuhamedov called the protection of the Caspian environment and the maintenance of ecological well-being in the region another topical area in the context of the common goals of the Caspian states.  “The Caspian Sea and its environment is a unique biocenosis, sensitive to the impact of negative phenomena, including climate change,” the President noted.

 “Based on this, Turkmenistan calls on the countries of the region to cooperate on the protection of water resources, the biological diversity of the Caspian Sea and the rational use of its natural resources,” the head of state emphasized in his address.

During the plenary session of the forum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov, the Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan Ch. Babaniyazov, senior representatives of the embassies of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia spoke.

 The speeches emphasized that Turkmenistan is an active participant in the most important processes in the Caspian region, and demonstrates commitment to the ideas of peace, harmony and mutually beneficial cooperation.  In this context, the constructive policy pursued under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the implementation of international cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection, including in the Caspian Sea basin, was noted.

 It was also emphasized that Turkmenistan consistently puts forward the most important initiatives and ideas aimed at implementing a systematic and effective political dialogue on the Caspian issue.

 The conference participants stated the need for further continuation of close cooperation between the Caspian states.