Putin: Caspian Sea shallowing issue raised by Azerbaijani President Aliyev

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had raised the issue of the Caspian Sea’s declining water levels, calling it a major and potentially global environmental concern.

Speaking at a meeting with heads of international news agencies during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said Russia and Azerbaijan are working together to address the issue.

"The problem of the Caspian Sea shallowing was raised by President Ilham Aliyev, and I immediately supported him," Putin said. "This is a serious problem—possibly even of a global nature. We all know the tragic examples of the Aral Sea and others. Coordinated action is needed in time. I have instructed the government accordingly."

He added that the Russian and Azerbaijani governments are searching for joint solutions: “The key is to act persistently, without any sudden moves, on a continuous basis.”

Putin stressed the importance of identifying the causes behind the declining water levels and preventing irreversible consequences.

Touching on economic cooperation between the two countries, Putin noted that bilateral trade rose by 7% last year. "We have promising projects in logistics, manufacturing, and shipbuilding, including the North-South corridor. We are ready to increase our orders with the Baku Shipyard. There are many projects with good prospects, and I hope we will implement them all," he said.

N.Tebrizli