Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed that the legal regime of Caspian Sea should be developed in a way that the interests of all littoral states are met.
Within the past years, negotiations have been underway based on the principle of consensus to develop the legal regime of the Caspian Sea as per the principles and rules of international law. Given the unique and special situation of the Sea, a lasting legal regime should guarantee that the interests of all littoral states are met given the geopolitical changes.
To that end, the legal regime needs to take into account three main topics of concern, including peace and security, sustainable development, and fair demarcation of the sea boundaries.
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water by area and is variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea.
The issue of the legal status of the Caspian Sea was given significance after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new independent states bordering the sea.
It is lran's best interest to use Caspian Sea to export oil to East Asia including India and China.
