SOCAR pleased with Turkmenistan’s Caspian status position

A statement by Turkmen president Saparmurat Niyazov that he is behind the division of the Caspian Sea into national sectors has received a lukewarm response in Azerbaijan. Also positive has been the official statement of SOCAR to this effect. In an interview with AssA-Irada, head of SACAR’s public relations department Mammad Mirzayev hailed the new position of Turkmenistan, which fully coincides with Azerbaijan’s.

In his opinion, the Turkmen president has been prompted by a statement by Russian and Iranian presidents concerning non-recognition of any frontiers in the Caspian. Turkmenistan made such suggestions earlier, but then changed its mind in favor of Iran’s proposal. Apparently, the Turkmen leader has decided to choose a way meeting his country’s national interests, M. Mirzayev said.*