The Caspian Sea, as a strategic body of water, plays a decisive role in shaping relations among its five littoral states across various areas, former Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pakayin told Trend in an exclusive interview. Pakayin noted that the Caspian Sea’s geopolitical importance extends to transportation and cargo shipping. Its rich biodiversity has also made environmental protection a major priority.
He said the designation of Caspian Sea Day helps draw international attention to efforts to preserve its ecosystem. The former ambassador noted that the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was signed by the presidents of the five littoral states on August 12, 2018. The convention was the result of 20 years of intensive diplomacy, 52 expert meetings, 10 meetings of foreign ministers and a series of summits involving Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
The parties also undertake not to provide their territory for military purposes to other states. This increases the Caspian Sea’s role as one of the safest and most stable bodies of water,” Pakayin said. According to him, the convention has created favorable conditions for constructive cooperation among the littoral states in political, military, fisheries, environmental, shipping, scientific and research fields.
Pakayin said the document establishes a common legal framework for the effective implementation of rules by providing clear technical and legal definitions concerning internal waters, territorial waters, exclusive fishing zones, common maritime space, marine biological resources and pollution. Under the new convention, the fishing zone has been extended to 25 miles. This can be considered a new opportunity for utilizing the resources of the Caspian Sea,” he said.
He also highlighted cooperation in combating international terrorism and its financing, trafficking in arms, narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as migrant smuggling. The former ambassador emphasized the importance of trade cooperation among the Caspian states, noting that positive ties have developed in recent years between businesses and private-sector companies in the five countries, particularly in imports and exports. He said business forums are regularly held in the region, while governments are seeking to encourage private-sector activity and remove barriers to create additional incentives for cooperation.
Pakayin also pointed to the development of Iran’s transport infrastructure. About two years ago, a railway linking Iran’s Caspian port to the Rasht railway was commissioned. The railway connects to the port of Bandar Abbas, allowing cargo from Caspian littoral states to reach the southern Iranian port and then be transported to other destinations, including Türkiye and Europe.
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