Russia's Government to Suggest to Northern Europe Joint Construction of Europort on Baltic Sea

The Government of the Russian Federation intends to suggest to the countries of Northern Europe the joint construction of a European Seaport on the Baltic Sea. This is according to the statement made at the Investments in Russia's Northwest: Kaliningrad Perspective conference by Vyacheslav Beldei, an employee of the administration of the government of Russia.

According to Mr. Beldei, the construction of such seaport in Russia's territorial waters is being discussed by the government. Possibly, the port will be built to the west of Klaipeda on floating platforms.

The possible suggestion of the joint construction of the port to the governments of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland is also being discussed. Entrepreneurs from Russia and these countries are expected to take part in the Project.

Mr. Beldei did not say when the project may be presented to the prospective participants for discussion. Yet he noted that Norway would have to consider, before the end of 2003, the construction of a port alternative to Rotterdam whose annual throughput is up to 18 million tonnes. This means that Russia has a limited time to promote the Europort project. There was no mentioning of the possible cost of the construction.

The Investments in Russia's Northwest: Kaliningrad Perspective international conference, now underway in Kaliningrad, has been organised by the administration of Viktor Cherkesov, the Plenipotentiary of the President of Russia in the Northwestern Federal District, the administration of the Kaliningrad Region, the East-West institute, and the Agency for the Development of the Kaliningrad Region. It is supposed to work out recommendations as to enhancing investment climate in the region.