Projects meant to exploit the strategic position of the Caspian Sea and its oil and natural gas are national priorities, Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia said. The Iranian and Russian presidents met with their Azeri counterpart in the nation’s capital, Baku, to review trilateral relations. All three are energy rich and positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the Caspian Sea. In a statement, Russian President Putin said the nations could work together to create a regional counterpart to Western trade corridors. “In the energy industry, priority should be given to the implementation of projects for the exploration and development of oil and gas deposits, first of all in the Caspian region,” he said. […]