Caspian states set to ratification of Convention on Legal Status of Caspian Sea
Caspian-littoral states began intra-state procedures required for the ratification of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, according to First Deputy FM Mukhtar Tleuberdi.
Caspian-littoral states began intra-state procedures required for the ratification of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, according to First Deputy FM Mukhtar Tleuberdi.
Today's extended meeting of the Senate Committee for International Relations, Defense and Security discussed the bill ‘On ratification of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.'
As per the existing information, all the Caspian-littoral states have already launched intra-state procedures needed for the Convention's ratification. On December 14, the Turkmen side informed of the completion of ratification of the document," said Mukhtar Tleuberdi.
He reminded that the Convention was signed August 12, 2018 in Aktau by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan during the 5th Caspian Summit.
25-year-long negotiations, five top-level meetings, seven ministerial conferences, 52 meetings of the ad hoc working group at the level of deputy foreign ministers as well as tens of other meetings preceded the signing of the document," he noted.
Mukhtar Tleuberdi added that the sides had agreed on non-presence of armed forces not belonging to the Parties [Party to Convention] in the Caspian Sea. The water zone was divided into internal waters, territorial waters, a fishery zone and common maritime space where various legal regimes will be in effect.
The breadth of territorial waters must not exceed 15 nautical miles, the outer limit of which shall be the state border. Each Party has a 10 nautical miles-wide fishery zone adjacent to the territorial waters where each country enjoys an exclusive right to harvest aquatic biological resources. Delimitation of internal and territorial waters between States with adjacent coasts shall be effected by agreement between those States with due regard to the principles and norms of international law," the Convention reads.
According to the Deputy FM, the Convention stipulates also the Parties' rights to build cables and pipelines on the bed of the Caspian Sea given that their projects comply with environmental standards and requirements embodied in the international agreements to which they are parties.
Source: Kazinform News Agency
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
Priorities of Cooperation Between Kazakhstan and the European Union Presented in Athens
Images | Kazakh MFA
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Greece Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev made a presentation on the priority areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU for the Ambassadors of European countries accredited in Greece, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
In his speech on the theme "Kazakhstan today: prior to the summit of Central Asia - European Union" Yerlan Baudarbek-Kozhatayev informed the participants of the meeting about the political and socio-economic reforms being implemented in the country under the leadership of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
To the attention of the interlocutors was presented information on the development of regional cooperation in Central Asia and the focus of the 6th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of the region, which will be held in Kazakhstan in 2024, as well as the interaction of the countries of the region with the world political centres in the format of "Central Asia Plus".
The event was organised under the auspices of the Ambassador’s Committee of the Balkans & Black Sea Forum, where topical issues of global and regional politics were discussed.
The meeting participants discussed the upcoming calendar of electoral events, including the impact of the outcome of the European Parliament elections to be held in June 2024 on the political landscape of Europe.
The discussion highlighted the importance of transport connectivity and the improvement of infrastructure and logistics, energy security, new power and LNG projects, as well as environmental and agricultural policies.
The speakers highlighted Central Asia’s potential for renewable energy production, emphasising that the European Union's green transition strategy implies an interconnected system with third countries, given that Kazakhstan is a strategic partner of the EU in the fields of critical raw materials, batteries and renewable hydrogen.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Signing of the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in Astana Opens a New Chapter in Kazakh-British Relations
Images | Kazakh MFA
Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held talks with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland David Cameron, who is in Astana with an official visit, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
The discussion focused on issues of bilateral, regional and international cooperation, as well as measures to enhance the entire spectrum of Kazakh-British relationship.
Minister Nurtleu welcomed dynamic intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary contacts that have facilitated deepening of partnership in various sectors over the recent years, and reconfirmed his readiness to broaden dialogue further between the foreign ministries of two countries.
With a view to increase engagement in trade, economic and investment spheres, Kazakh Foreign Minister underlined the importance of promoting institutional mechanism of cooperation, including the Strategic Dialogue and the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Cameron noted that the UK pays great attention to developing cooperation with Kazakhstan as the key partner in Central Asia. He also expressed support for the ongoing reforms in our country and the readiness of London to deepen its ties with Astana.
An important outcome of the talks at the Foreign Ministry was the signing of the historic Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the UK that is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in key sectors, such as foreign policy and security, trade and investment, protection of intellectual property, energy and raw materials partnership, transportation, environment protection and climate change, banking and financial services, employment and social policy, science and education.
According to Minister Nurtleu, "this comprehensive agreement will be a significant step in taking political, trade and investment relations between Astana and London to new horizons… We believe our strong and mutually beneficial strategic partnership will continue to strengthen in all areas, from energy to rare metals, from ecology to education."
A number of bilateral documents in the sphere of healthcare and transport as well as MoUs on opening a branch of Queen’s University Belfast in Almaty and launching Kazakh language courses at Oxford University were also concluded during the visit.
For reference: trade between Kazakhstan and the UK in 2023 reached 1.2 million US dollars (exports - 703 million, imports - 478,7 million).
There are around 600 companies and joint ventures with British capital in Kazakhstan.
The UK is among the top 10 foreign investors in Kazakhstan. Last year, Kazakhstan’s economy attracted 795 million in FDI from the UK and over 17 billion in total since 2005.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
On Official Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to Thailand
Images | Kazakh MFA
Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to Thailand upon the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
During the talks, sides discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Kazakh-Thai relations in political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.
Ministers noted the similarity of positions of Kazakhstan and Thailand on key issues of the global political agenda, especially in the areas of nuclear non-proliferation and security on the Asian continent. In this context, they expressed mutual interest in continuing cooperation at such platforms as the UN, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia and the Dialogue on Cooperation in Asia.
Foreign Minister Nurtleu emphasized the consistent growth of mutual interest of the two countries in the field of trade. The growth of bilateral trade turnover in the post-covid period was noted with appreciation, which reached a historical maximum of 367 million US dollars by the end of 2023.
Thailand is the largest and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the Southeast Asian region. Over three decades of strong diplomatic relations, regular contacts between our states have paved the way for comprehensive and fruitful interaction," said Kazakh Foreign Minister.
Both sides noted the significant potential of cooperation in the sphere of agriculture and food security. They stressed the need to intensify contacts of business circles and search for the most advantageous conditions for transportation of goods between the two countries.
There is a constructive dialog between our countries, the positions of our states on many issues coincide. Kazakhstan is our key partner in Central Asia," said the Thai Foreign Minister.
Cooperation on tourism is actively developing, the number of direct flights between two countries is growing. In 2023, 172 thousand Kazakh tourists visited Thailand, which is 2.5 times higher than the figure for 2022.
Following the visit, the heads of foreign ministries signed an Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Exemption from Visa Requirements of National Passport Holders. According to this document, citizens of the both countries can stay without a visa for up to 30 calendar days from the date of entry into each other’s territory. The Agreement will come fully valid after the parties finalize the domestic procedures.
A Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Tourism was also signed between the ministries of tourism and sports of Kazakhstan and Thailand.
Foreign Ministers noted satisfaction with the outcome of the talks and expressed confidence in further fruitful cooperation.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.