ASHGABAT. Aug 6 (Interfax-AVN) - Turkmenistan will not take part in military exercises in the Caspian Sea, according to a Turkmen Foreign Ministry statement received by Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
"Turkmenistan as a neutral state does not take part or intend to take part in the future in any military exercises in the Caspian, either as a participant or observer," Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov stated.
"Turkmenistan finds it inexpedient to hold large-scale military exercises in the Caspian Sea, because none of the coastal countries, except for Russia, have major naval forces in the Caspian," the statement says.
Russian military say that the major goal of the exercises is to demonstrate Russia's readiness to combat terrorism, prevent illegal drug transportation and protection of production areas and biological resources, including by military force. The active stage of the war games is to begin on Thursday and last until August 15.
Iran has confirmed participation of its observers in the exercises.
The Azerbaijani Navy and Kazakh Air Force are taking part in the war games, too.