ASTRAKHAN, November 14. /TASS/. Russia's engagement with the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the strategically important Caspian region has sparked concern and resistance from the West, Russian Presidential Aide and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board Nikolay Patrushev said at a meeting on the development of the shipbuilding complex in the Astrakhan Region.
"The Caspian Sea is a unique body of water — it boasts oil and gas reserves, has excellent transit potential, and, at the same time, can play a key strategic and military role, ensuring security in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East," Patrushev stated. "The collective West is uneasy with the fact that the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia are deepening their ties with Russia and that the Caspian region states have chosen the path of addressing their regional challenges."
The presidential aide emphasized that the United States and the European Union are making "efforts to dismantle relations between these states, undermine their political and trade cooperation." "In this situation, we must systematically tackle issues regarding the Caspian Sea's development," he emphasized.
It is Russia’s military presence in the Caspian Sea that enables "us to prevent attempts by some coastal states to open their waters to the naval forces of third countries, primarily the US and members of the North Atlantic Alliance," Patrushev explained.
The meeting on the development of the shipbuilding complex in the Astrakhan Region is being held at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The participants will discuss the development of regional shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises — specifically, factories producing auxiliary fleet vessels and facilities for shelf development.