Legal Status of the Caspian Sea: Gaps in the Convention Regime

The conclusion of the Convention on Legal Status Caspian Sea in 2018 was intended to put an end a very long and difficult negotiation process determine legal regime for this closed water body, which has no natural connection with World Ocean. supposed fill gaps management area that existed framework previous Soviet-Iranian agreements 1921 1940, were force but not up date, give all states common equal rights powers use exploit spaces resources maritime region. However, 2022, entered into force, as one countries — Islamic Republic Iran yet ratified regional agreement, considering it is most disadvantaged party. Despite resolution seabed delimitation issues its northern part years, problem southern may require both enormous efforts time, further complicating current situation. There final understanding what models can be used here satisfy interests involved. Moreover, implementation norms provisions requires drafting signing new bilateral multilateral documents close whole series “gaps” proposed convention regime. In fact, fate depends how these contradictions will resolved. analysis problems focus paper.