Finland Rejects Russian Proposal for Resolving Truckers Border Dispute

The Finnish Transport Ministry yesterday rejected a proposal from the Russian authorities aimed at resolving the problems concerning lorries crossing the Finnish-Russian border. Two days ago the Russian Ministry of Transport ordered the Leningrad Region Roads Committee to draw up routes for Finnish lorries to take through the region. The proposal received yesterday by the Finnish Transport Ministry contained only one route, from Svetogorsk to Vyborg. To use this route Finnish drivers would require corresponding permits, and it would only be open to them in winter. According to Finnish Deputy Transport Minister Harri Caven, Finland cannot agree to such a proposal. In particular, Finland wants to be able to transport timber throughout the Vyborg district.