The five Caspian Sea littoral states on Friday called for growing cooperation and ties among themselves. Heads of the teams representing the five Caspian states to the first Intergovernmental Economic Conference of Near-Caspian-Sea States made the announcement in the two-day meeting, that opened here on Friday, IRNA reported. Iran has been represented in the meeting by Vice-President for Executive Affairs Ali Saeedlu. Addressing the meeting, Saeedlu said the meeting showcases growing willingness of regional states to expand intra-level cooperation. Saeedlu said more convergence and establishment of permanent relevant offices in the region will be helpful for the littoral states. He went on to say that Iran is strongly demanding better ties and cooperation among the Caspian Sea states and is staunch supporter of establishment of a permanent regional office to look into joint economic cooperation among the states. He said it is also necessary for the states to set up an investment fund, joint bank and a permanent secretariat to probe into implementation of mutually reached agreements and approvals. The conference will become the key economic event for the states of Caspian Sea basin, ground for discussing and building-up an action program of long-term investment, economic, transport and ecological programs' implementation. Discussion of the following issues, which are important to solve all member countries' geo-strategic problems, are on agenda: the development of intergovernmental economic cooperation, oil-and-gas infrastructure development perspectives, environmental safety of the region and so on.
