The Second Caspian Summit that has brought together the leaders of Turkmenistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Iran, is opened in Tehran on October 16.

The agenda includes the urgent issues related to the legal status of the Caspian Sea, intensification and expansion of regional co-operation and efficient cooperative use of the rich resources, preservation of the biological diversity and protection of the unique water body of universal value. The leaders of the five Caspian states are expected to reach the agreements, which will be reflected in the Joint Declaration. The Tehran forum will enable the participants to discuss and make the decisions on the issues of bilateral and multilateral interaction. In particular, the leaders are expected to sign the trilateral document on construction of the railway across the territories of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran.

From the first years of independence demonstrating the consistent adherence to peace, concord and stability in the Caspian region Turkmenistan stands for a constructive dialogue through meeting the national interests and concerting the efforts to implement long-range projects and an integrated approach to the environmental problems. Goodwill, equality, mutual respect and healthy pragmatism are the principles underlying Turkmenistan’s position it takes to co-operate with the Caspian states.

In February 2002, Turkmenistan put forward the initiative to hold the First Caspian Summit in Ashgabat. The Ashgabat forum can be ranked among the historic event for that the five neighboring countries first presented their positions on the sensitive issues related to the legal status of the Caspian Sea, cooperative use of the unique marine resources and discussed the aspects of interaction and priorities in the approaches to the Caspian Sea-related problems. The forum in the Turkmen capital established the high standards of the dialogue – the parties discussed the approaches to marine resources use as well as the destiny and future of the littoral states.

The goal to turn the thesis “five states – five positions” towards concerting the efforts was set at the Ashgabat Summit that vividly demonstrated Turkmenistan’s position on the co-operation strategy based on concord, joining of efforts and the common responsibility for the destiny of the Caspian Sea.

The Second Caspian Summit is called upon to bring the dialogue initiated in Ashgabat about five and a half years ago and actively maintained at the multilateral level up to a higher orbit of mutual understanding – for mutually advantageous partnership in the common interests, peace and wellbeing.