Security in region requires combined efforts of Caspian littoral states: Azerbaijani deputy FM

"We're in a way of new cooperation, at this meeting we developed a general concept for the realization of common goals in a specific project," Khalafov said to press conference on the results of the meeting on security in the Caspian region.

The deputy minister said that Azerbaijan had developed a draft agreement, which was presented to the representatives of the Caspian states.

He said the project envisages significant collaboration in combating terrorism, organized crime, arms trafficking and human trafficking, drug trafficking and smuggling.

This project is planned to be discussed in Baku in the first quarter of 2010, Khalafov said, expressing hope that at future meetings this project will be approved.

"I believe that there are great prospects for this cooperation, which will be used for turning the Caspian Sea into a peaceful water area," said Khalafov.

He noted that the meetings in Baku discussed only security issues.

The question of the status of the Caspian Sea was not discussed, Khalafov said.

"There are many issues to be discussed at the experts' level," he said.

/Trend News/