“Finland is among those countries with whom we cooperate most frequently regarding the environment. In May of this year, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of nature conservation related cooperation, but in actuality the nature conservation relationship between Estonia and Finland has been close since the 1930s,” stated Keit Pentus. According to her, one of the most important topics at the meeting with Minister Niinistöt was the Gulf of Finland. “It seems like ensuring the improved cleanliness of the gulf connecting our two countries always comes up as a subject of discussion at environmental meetings between Estonia and Finland. The scale of topics is quite wide, ranging from the construction and improvement of water purification stations to the studying of the state of maritime areas.” According to Keit Pentus, Estonia has made very large investments over the last few years specifically in water and wastewater infrastructure projects. “Water and wastewater infrastructure investments made with the support of the European Union total more than EUR 400 million during the period 2007-2013. In addition to ensuring clean drinking water, investments related to waste water treatment have also been important.” Finland has made a proposal to declare 2014 as the year of the Gulf of Finland and to intensify, in cooperation with Estonia and Russia, research taking place in the Gulf. “Estonia welcomes such a proposal. The situation in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland will only improve if all of the surrounding countries take the matter seriously and make a contribution,” added Pentus. The discussion also included preparations for the Durban climate conference and the contribution of Estonia and Finland to the Rio+20 process, which focuses on a green economy. Before their working lunch, the Ministers, at the direction of Ain Järve, took a walk through Kadriorg Park and discussed topics of the urban environment. |
