BREAKING:

• Caspian Sea States Confirm Readiness to Defend Iranian Nuclear Deal - Rouhani

Caspian Sea Convention Bans Military Presence of Non-Littoral States in Region

© Sputnik / Said Tsarnaev

WORLD

12:34 12.08.2018(updated 12:53 12.08.2018)Get short URL

190

The Sunday meeting leaders of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan began in the Kazakh city of Aktau and is expected to conclude with the signing of the convention on the status of the Caspian Sea, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The Summit of Caspian States, which brings together the leaders of countries bordering the inland sea, has extraordinary significance, the convention guarantees that countries outside the region are absent from the Caspian Sea, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

The meeting is expected to last an hour and a half, followed by a signing ceremony and a photo opportunity.

The state leaders will then take a stroll along the Caspian waterfront.

READ MORE: US Military Bases at Caspian Sea ‘Out of Question' — Kazakh Foreign Minister

© SPUTNIK / MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Caspian Sea Convention to Ban Military Presence of Non-Littoral States in Region - Baku

The convention that determines the legal status of the body of water and rights and responsibilities of the littoral states has been 22 years in the making.

The water surface will mainly be open for joint use, while the sea floor can be accessed based on the international legal framework. The convention also reaffirms that no states other than the five signatories can place their armed forces at the Caspian Sea.