Azerbaijan, Russia Establish Joint Commission to Address Shrinking Caspian Sea Water Levels

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov has announced the creation of a joint commission with Russia to tackle the issue of declining water levels in the Caspian Sea. 

During talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Asadov revealed that the two countries had agreed to form a bilateral working group to investigate the causes of the sea’s shrinking and develop measures to address the crisis, The Caspian Post reports, citing the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. 

"The issue of the Caspian Sea was raised during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Azerbaijan in August, and as per the orders of the two presidents, deputy ministers have already formed working groups," Asadov said. He expressed hope that other Caspian countries would join the initiative in the near future, underscoring the regional significance of the problem.

"This is a critical issue for our region, and I believe it is equally important for Russia," Asadov emphasized, pointing out that the commission's primary task is to identify the factors contributing to the Caspian Sea’s shrinking water levels and to find solutions to mitigate the environmental impact.

In addition to discussing environmental concerns, Asadov highlighted the strong bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia in various sectors. He noted that Azerbaijan values the Russian language and culture and is eager to expand educational cooperation.

Asadov also noted the growing partnership in the oil and gas sector. "Azerbaijan remains a key player in the energy sector, and Russia is a global leader in many energy areas," he said, referring to the expanding positive developments in their collaboration, particularly with major Russian energy companies operating in Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, Asadov emphasized the importance of Russia as a partner in Azerbaijan's agro-industrial complex, including the import and export of agricultural products. He revealed that Azerbaijan's agricultural exports to Russia had increased by over 9% in 2023, continuing into 2024 with a 12% rise. Additionally, Azerbaijan imports significant amounts of wheat from Russia, with expectations to import nearly 900,000 tons by the end of October 2024.

This joint effort on environmental and economic fronts reflects the growing ties between the two nations, focused on mutual cooperation and shared regional challenges.