Developing ties with Caspian states remains Russia’s foreign policy priority - Russian FM

Developing strong partnerships with nations bordering the Caspian Sea remains a central focus for Russia and a vital component of regional security in Eurasia, according to a news release on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.

"In his address, Sergey Lavrov highlighted that fostering comprehensive collaboration with Caspian states is a key element of Russia’s foreign policy. Such efforts are integral to shaping the emerging Eurasian architecture of cooperation and security," the statement reads.

In addition, Russia’s commitment to the principles outlined in the 2018 Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was reaffirmed. The importance of respecting the exclusive rights of the five littoral states in resolving issues related to the Caspian Sea was stressed.

The successful organization of several regional events was praised, such as the 10th Caspian Media Forum, the Caspian Seasons festival, the Caspian Digital Forum, and the Shores Youth Educational Forum, which brought together representatives from Caspian countries.

Additionally, the outcomes of the First International Forum of Governors of Caspian Sea Coastal Regions, held on November 18-19 at Iran’s initiative, received high commendation.