Russia and Turkmenistan begin talks to divide Caspian Sea bottom in Ashgabat

Bilateral talks between Russia and Turkmenistan on dividing the bottom of the Caspian Sea began in Ashgabat yesterday. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service told Rosbalt the Russian delegation is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister and Presidential Envoy Victor Kalyuzhny. The talks are important for all the governments bordering the Caspian Sea - Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran and Azerbaijan. Turkmenistan is the only country, which does not agree with the principles of dividing the sea's bottom due to 'insufficient clarity.' At the present time the agreements between the Soviet Union and Iran made in 1921 and 1940 regulate the legal status of the Caspian Sea. But the agreements are outdated and need to be revised. Russia is in favor of the principle of 'divide the bottom, share the water.'