Putin: Caspian problems need to be solved with Russia's interests observed
BAKU. Aug 13 (Interfax) - Russia wants the Caspian problems to be settled as soon as possible and the Caspian Sea to become a region of cooperation, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"A strong emphasis was put in the talks on problems in the Caspian region. We want this region to become a region of peace, stability and cooperation," Putin said at a press conference in Baku after talks with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.
"A large number of issues have yet to be solved, including the problems of security, border delimitation, and conservation of the biological diversity of the Caspian Sea," Putin said.
"It is in our national interests to ensure that all of these problems are tackled with the interests of all Caspian states taken into account," he said.
Putin also said that the summit talks in Baku were timed to coincide with the Russian Caspian Flotilla visit. "Azeri warships are to pay a return visit to Astrakhan at the end of the year," the Russian president said.
