All-round cooperation with Caspian littoral states among Russia's foreign policy priorities - Russian FM

MOSCOW. Dec 8 (Interfax) - Developing cooperation with the Caspian littoral states is a priority of Russia's foreign policy as an element of Eurasia's cooperation and security architecture, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"In his speech at the meeting, Lavrov noted that, in particular, the development of comprehensive interaction with the countries of the Caspian region is among the priorities of Russia's foreign policy as an integral element of the Eurasian cooperation and security architecture that is taking shape today," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website after the 5th meeting of the Interagency Commission for Caspian Cooperation.

"The Russian side's commitment to the principles of the 2018 Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, above all, in relation to the prerogative of the five Caspian littoral states to address all issues related to the Caspian Sea was underscored" at the meeting, the statement said.

"The parties discussed ways to uphold Russian national interests in the Caspian Sea region, including preparations for the 7th Caspian Summit and the development of business cooperation," it said.

The composition of the commission's civic expert council was also approved at the meeting, it said.