Russia, Kazakhstan outline principles of cooperation in developing Caspian bottom resources

Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev, respective Presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan, signed an agreement, in the Kremlin Monday, which outlines principles of and a legal basis for bilateral cooperation in developing resources of the bottom of the Caspian Sea. The document provides coordinates of the modified middle demarcation line dividing the bottom of the northern part of the Caspian between Russia and Kazakhstan so that the two countries could exercise their sovereign right of the use of mineral resources. Three hydrocarbon fields - Kurmangazy, Tsentralnaya, Khvalynskoye - located on the line are to be developed by Russia and Kazakhstan on a parity basis.