Burtsev, S. N. The Caspian Sea Region as the Point of the Confl ict of Interests of Leading World Powers

Abstract: The article contains a geopolitical description of the Caspian Sea basin and its role in the world policy. The author touches upon the problem of the legal status of the Caspian Sea and covers the policy of out-of-region states as well as the fi ve Caspian bordering countries. Today the Caspian Sea basin attracts a great number of both regional and out-of-region states which is due to the wide spread of the supposition about rich oil resources in the region as well as the important geopolitical position of the region. This fact is still the main problem that worries Russia and Iran and a number of other Caspian bordering countries. Theoretical and methodological grounds for studying and analyzing the problems and issues raised in the article include the systems approach applied to studying positions of all actors on the matter as well as the two-way communications between the actors. The goal of the author of the present article is to view the importance of the Caspian Sea region not only from the economic but also from the geopolitical points of view which is due to the important strategic position of the region and the fact that the main routes of transit of hydrocarbon resources come through it. In addition, the author specifi es the key roles of Moscow and Teheran in solution of the problem of establishing the legal status of the Caspian Sea that is discussed not only by Russian and Iran but also a number of other concerned Caspian bordering countries. This is necessary not only to start exploration of the deposit but also to allocate the Caspian Sea to the fi ve bordering territories. The present issue is very important from the point of view of ensuring geopolitical interests of both Russia and Iran. However, one of the factors slowing down the solution of this issue is the position of Iran on the matter. The author will study the position of Iran in the next article as well as positions of other regional and out-of-region states.

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