OREANDA-NEWS.  January 30, 2012. The Interagency Commission for the Caspian Sea of Turkmenistan conducted a regular meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting agenda focused on the work done in 2011 and the short-term objectives.

The meeting brought together the high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Nature Protection, the State Enterprise for the Caspian Sea under the President of Turkmenistan, the State Committee on Fisheries, the State Border Guard Service, research institutes and other departments concerned.

The meeting participants discussed the guidelines for the activities of the Interagency Commission, including the elaboration of the proposals for the implementation of the international initiatives President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov put forward to preserve, replenish and efficiently use abundant biological resources of this unique body of water, achieve environmental security in this region and promote fruitful regional cooperation.

In this context it was noted that in the reporting period the specific work had been done on the preparation of the documents on the status of the Caspian Sea in line with international law standards, protection of the environment and organisation of the international forums of the Caspian Sea challenges, among others.

It was emphasized that Turkmenistan committed to maintaining peace, cohesion and stability in the Caspian Basin region urged to carry on a constructive dialogue based on national interests of the littoral states, concert efforts to implement promising projects and take an integrated approach to addressing the challenges facing the neighbouring states in the whole spectrum of the Caspian Sea related issues.

The pillars of the stand the Turkmen state takes on international cooperation include the goodwill, equality, mutual respect and healthy pragmatism. The full and comprehensive implementation of the multifaceted potential of the Caspian Sea and its coastal area is crucial in developing the economies of all the littoral states, including Turkmenistan, given the tasks and objectives out country is to fulfil in the new historical epoch.