Russia's PM on problem of Russian enclave on Baltic Sea

Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Kasyanov hopes that before the end of this year, Russia and the European Union will find a mutually acceptable solution to the problem of the Kaliningrad Region (former Eastern Prussia which after the second World War became part of the USSR under the peace treaty).

Kasyanov told journalists in St. Petersburg on Monday that Moscow "insists on holding detailed expert talks on Russia's proposals which must ensure free transit of cargoes and unhindered movement of Russian citizens from Kaliningrad to other regions of the country and back." The head of the Cabinet admitted that difficult talks are in store but expressed the hope that representatives of the European Union are aware of the necessity to take such a decision.

According to Kasyanov, the theme of Kaliningrad will be touched upon not only at the meeting of the heads of government of the Baltic Sea states but also at his bilateral meetings with his counterparts who have come to St. Petersburg.

Among the questions to be discussed with representatives of the states of the Baltic region, Kasyanov made special mention also of the struggle against organised crime, countering the spread of infectious diseases, development of transport corridors, shipping in the Baltic Sea, power and environmental problems.