Prime Minister Holds Conference On Caspian Sea Coast

During his working visit to the Astrakhan Region (situated in the Volga River delta on the coast of the Caspian Sea), Mikhail Kasyanov, Chairman of the Russian Government, on Friday held a conference "Implementation of Russia's Strategic Interests on the Caspian." Upon his arrival in Astrakhan on Thursday Kasyanov recalled that, being one of the biggest countries of the Caspian region, Russia is actively negotiating on the use of Caspian resources. The conference participants discussed the transport policy, above all, connected with the North-South transport corridor. "The Caspian is a key link in that transport corridor," stressed Kasyanov. During the past six months the amount of cargoes going through the port of Astrakhan increased by 80%. Though the necessary investments have been made into the development of the Astrakhan port, this is not sufficient, stressed the Premier, adding that the Astrakhan Region plays a "key role" in Russia's southern region.

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