The problem of delimitating the Caspian area against the background of its undetermined

Author(s):  I.S. Savin, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nijny Novgorod, Russia, ilya.savin.nn@gmail.com

F.H. Rahmonov, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nijny Novgorod, Russia, faha91@bk.ru

Issue:  Volume 44, №22

Rubric:  Topical issues of political science

Annotation:  This paper deals with one of the most pressing present-day regional issues regarding the international relations over the Caspian Sea, whose undetermined legal status fuels the rivalry among Caspian states threatening to escalate into a full-scale conflict in the foreseeable future. In the era of energy politics the Caspian Basin encompassing rich offshore oil and gas deposits and unique biological resources serves as a crossroad of the leading regional and world powers’ interests thus actualizing the problem of delimitation of the Caspian water area alongside with its seabed. The authors attempt to comprehensively analyze the present-say geopolitical situation in the Caspian region taking into account the historical background, by which it has been determined. The paper examines the positions of Caspian states toward the problem under consideration alongside with their national interests in the region. The role of the key extra-regional actors interested in solving the Caspian problem is estimated.

Keywords:  the Caspian Sea, the post-Soviet world, international law, national interests, energy politics.

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