TEHRAN, Aug. 26 (Mehr News Agency) -- Kazakh Foreign Affairs Minister Marat Tazhin dismissed news that the four Caspian Sea neighboring countries have held a meeting in the absence of Iran.

In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Manuchehr Mottaki on Wednesday, Tazhin stated that the Caspian Sea's legal regime should be discussed with the attendance of all five neighboring states, IRNA reported.

He said that Caspian Sea's affairs can not be examined without Iran's attendance as one of the five neighboring countries.

Tazhin added published reports in the regional newspapers are baseless, adding, he will clear up the issue in his first press conference.

He also pointed out that resolving the Caspian Sea's issues is not possible without Iran's participation.

Mottaki said Iran welcomes the expansion of ties with regional states and formally invited his Qazaq counterpart for a visit to Iran.

Link to the news item from Trend.az (that without Iran) Kazakh, Russian, Azerbaijani and Turkmen presidents will discuss the status of the Caspian Sea at a summit in Aktau.

... Payvand News - 08/28/09 ... --

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