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Caspian summit to take place in Russia in 2014

The summit should bring new decisions to determine the Caspian legal status

BAKU, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - The 4th Caspian summit is to be held in Russia in 2014, Russian presidential special envoy for the border delimitation and demarcation Igor Bratchikov said.

Speaking at a news conference on the results of the 33rd session of the working for the Caspian Sea legal status, Bratchikov said, “Next year we’ll work harder. The summit should take a new step towards new decisions to determine the Caspian legal status.”

It is early to specify the concrete term, he noted. “There are many cities in Russia, besides Moscow, where the summit can take place,” the Russian presidential envoy said, adding, “The date of the summit depends on how our group will work. We achieve serious progress that is why we raise the question of holding the summit.”

At the same time, he said, “The parties have certain disagreements and we’re planning to settle them shortly to decide on the exact date of the summit.”

Head of the Kazakhstani delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Sarybai said he was expected to meet the foreign ministers of the Caspian states in Russia next year over the sea legal status.

Igor Bratchikov also said that progress has been achieved in coordinating the convention on the Caspian Sea legal status.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov said, “Most issues regarding the convention has been coordinated.”

“But there are problems due to be discussed. There are different approaches towards certain issues. Compromises are indispensable to allow us to take a unanimous decision,” he said.

The current session should considered “the base for holding the Caspian summit in Russia in 2014”, the Azerbaijani diplomat said.

The work on the convention will be continued at the regular session of the working group due to take place in Moscow. The date will be coordinated later by diplomatic channels, he said.

Head of the Kazakhstani delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Sarybai said, “We intend to implement the decisions of the previous summit, which gathered in Baku in November 2010. I believe that a package of documents of the upcoming summit will include several agreements, which are aimed at further development of friendship and cooperation in the Caspian region.”

The 4th Caspian summit is planning to be held in Russia in 2014, the Russian presidential special envoy said.

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