The Caspian Sea Basin: Legal, geopolitical, and environmental issues

The Caspian Sea basin, rich in energy resources, holds strategic importance both among the littoral states and on the international level. Although it lacks access to the open oceans, its abundant hydrocarbon reserves contribute significantly to Europe’s energy security and play an important role in maritime transport among the countries of the region—factors that further enhance the sea’s significance. However, the legal status of the Caspian Sea has long been a subject of debate. Following the collapse of the USSR, issues emerged concerning the delimitation of borders between the littoral states and the utilization of the sea’s resources. This long-standing dispute was only resolved on August 12, 2018, at a summit held in Aktau, Kazakhstan, where the five littoral states (Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran) participated and signed the “Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea.” The primary aim of this study is to clarify the legal status of the Caspian Sea and to examine the related challenges that have arisen over time.