Russia seeks to protect environment in Baltic region

Russia wants to protect the environment in the Baltic region. This was announced at a press conference today by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. He said that the safety of oil ships was one of the issues discussed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and his Finnish counterpart Anneli Jaeaetteenmaeki in Moscow yesterday.

'We believe that these questions should be considered by the relevant international bodies and on the basis of international norms,' Mr Ivanov said. He also stressed that Russia would take part in the decision-making process and would of course meet all its obligations. Russia is currently negotiating with the EU on the subject of oil transportation, as was agreed at the Russia-EU summit in Saint Petersburg.

Finland has expressed especial concern about the ecology of the Baltic region due to the increasing number of oil ships in the Baltic Sea.