Caspian littoral states sign document to prevent oil spills at sea

A Protocol Concerning Regional Preparedness, Response and Cooperation in Combating Oil Pollution Incidents was signed by official representatives of the Caspian littoral states in Aktau (formerly Shevchenko) the day before, ITAR TASS reported. The third session of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention) was held there.

Despite the fact that the Tehran Convention was signed by Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in 2003, there was no coordination of actions aimed at marine environment protection between the parties. Only coordination of a protocol on response to spills lasted 8 years.

As the Kazakh Environment Minister Nurgali Ashimov said, the document’s point is that "the five countries undertake quickly responding, as well as notifying each-other about all possible accidents".

Ashimov stressed that extensive work is underway in this direction in Kazakhstan. "We already have a national plan to respond to such situations, a special committee operates. In addition, our drilling norms at sea are the strictest," Ashimov said.

Representatives of the Caspian littoral states expressed willingness to continue dialogue to address disputable issues and coordinate other protocols to the Tehran Convention.
After the conference its participants were met at the festivities that are taking place in honor of International Caspian Sea Day today in Aktau. This day is annually celebrated in the Caspian countries to raise public awareness of the necessity to protect the environment.


/Trend/