TEHRAN – In an assembly of top diplomats from the Caspian littoral states convened in Moscow, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has delved into a spectrum of crucial issues, underscoring the imperative of enhanced regional collaboration.

Addressing a distinguished audience at the annual meeting of foreign ministers from the five Caspian littoral countries, which was chaired by the Russian foreign minister, Amir Abdollahian portrayed the Caspian Sea as not merely a geographical entity but a shared heritage and a fount of prosperity for the approximately 270 million people inhabiting the surrounding countries.

The Iranian foreign minister emphasized the strategic importance of the Caspian region. Acting as a connective nexus between the northern-southern and eastern-western corridors, he pressed for the establishment of security in the Caspian Sea region. His impassioned plea urged joint responsibility among the littoral nations, emphasizing the overarching need for stability, security, and sustainable development.

"Decisions regarding Caspian Sea issues should be unanimous among the five littoral countries," Amir Abdollahian declared, expressing his belief in the necessity of increased collaboration. He proposed the institutionalization of collaborations in the Caspian Sea and suggested establishing a secretariat or organization to manage and oversee collaborative efforts.

The top Iranian diplomat articulated Iran’s firm support for economic development in the maritime sector. He fervently advocated for joint investments in shipping, ports, fisheries, maritime tourism, and the creation of free trade zones within the Caspian Sea.

Acknowledging the environmental challenges that loom over the region, the Iranian foreign minister championed collective cooperation as the panacea for these shared challenges.

“Among the most pressing challenges is the imminent threat of decreasing water levels in the Caspian Sea. The issue has adversely impacted crucial aspects such as port and shipping installations, the delicate ecosystem, aquatic life, and the unique wetlands in the coastal provinces of the Caspian Sea. This decline has resulted in an escalation of pollutants in the coastal provinces, further exacerbating the environmental challenges faced by the Caspian Sea region,” Amir Abdollahian remarked.

Amir Abdollahian calls for sanctions on Israel

Shifting the focus to the grim situation in Gaza, the top Iranian diplomat condemned the actions of the Israeli regime, branding them as heinous crimes and mass punishment inflicted upon the defenseless populace. Describing the situation in Gaza as a major humanitarian catastrophe, he urged an immediate global focus on the developments in the besieged Gaza Strip.  

“The Israeli regime has killed more than 16,000 Palestinians, including over 10,000 children and women during the war, and destroyed thousands of residential units, hospitals, treatment centers, schools, mosques, and churches,” the Iranian foreign minister said, calling these horrific acts as “evidence of war crimes in violation of international law that entail prosecution and punishment.”

Unflinchingly, Amir Abdollahian voiced his belief in the necessity for the global community to impose an embargo on Israeli-made goods and to hold Israel accountable for its actions in the Gaza Strip. "It is necessary to halt energy exports to Israel and impose an embargo on goods manufactured in Israel - this is the least we can do to show that we stand with the people of Gaza," he declared during the meeting. 

"Apart from that, the war criminals of the Israeli regime should be tried in international courts and punished," he further stressed.

In a concluding note, the Iranian official lamented the regrettable delay in the Third Caspian Economic Forum, initially scheduled to be held in Tehran. Despite prior agreements and coordination among all participating countries, he expressed his country’s readiness to propose a new date for the forum. Emphasizing the forum's significance in securing the economic interests of all littoral countries, the foreign minister ensured the continuity of this pivotal economic dialogue.

Iran, Russia ink cooperation agreement

On the summit’s sidelines, Amir Abdollahian engaged in bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The discussions culminated in the signing of an agreement addressing a pressing issue – unilateral sanctions. Officially titled the "Declaration of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran on ways and means of countering, softening, and compensation of negative consequences of unilateral coercion measures," this accord marked a significant milestone in diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.

Amir Abdollahian left Tehran on Monday to attend the annual summit of the five littoral states of the Caspian Sea – Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Commonly known as Caspian Five, the summit has been a longstanding platform for discussions on regional and international issues.

Over the past decade, Iran has diligently prioritized the consolidation of relations with its neighboring countries in the region. Iran’s commitment to this diplomatic pursuit has resulted in the clinching of landmark agreements and its active participation in international economic coalitions. This diplomatic trajectory aligns seamlessly with Iran’s policy of confronting Western unilateralism, demonstrating the nation's steadfastness on the global stage.

MAS/PA