'No backing off from Caspian division principles', says president

President Aliyev announced Tuesday that Azerbaijan would not back off from its principles in the Caspian division issue.

The statement was made during a meeting with Russian Lukoil delegation led by president Vagit Alakgarov. The delegation also included Russian President's Caspian status negotiator, deputy foreign minister Viktor Kaliuzhny.

The head of state hailed the fact that the company has conducted its board meeting in Baku and said it was an indicator of the strategy Lukoil has chosen.

Lukoil president V. Alakbarov described the Baku board meeting of the company as a historic event. The Mr. Kaliuzhny said the Caspian status document, signed during Russian President's visit to Azerbaijan remains in effect, while the recent press publications contradict reality. He stated that on April 5-6 he would hold talks in Turkmenistan and on April 7-8 in Iran to set a Caspian summit date.

"I think we will have no problems over Caspian division", he said.