Caspian Region Crucial for Asia and Europe, Says Iran’s VP

The Caspian region is of great importance not only for the regional countries, but also for the Asian and European countries, Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran's First Vice President, as he addressed the 3rd Caspian Economic Forum held in Tehran on Monday.

“The Caspian Economic Forum provides an important platform for the Caspian littoral states to further enhance their mutually beneficial cooperation. The economic cooperation between these states, which have a population of over 300 million and a trade turnover of $700 billion, meets the interests of the states and peoples,” he said, The Caspian Post reports, citing AZERTAC.

According to him, one of the most important tasks today is the protection of the Caspian environment.

"The Caspian Sea accounts for the 80 percent of caviar and sturgeon exported to the world market. The Caspian region is of great importance not only for the regional countries, but also for the Asian and European countries. The Caspian Sea links the continents in terms of transport. International transport corridors pass through the Caspian region. The Caspian Sea littoral states boast natural resources and economic potential, which have enabled their mutual cooperation to become more comprehensive," the Iranian First Vice President emphasized.