The main aim of the European Commission environmental representative’s visit to Estonia is to obtain an overview of the problems associated with the Probo Koala. According to Dimas the ship represents a pan-European and potentially international environmental threat for which finding a solution largely now rests with Estonia. The European Commission’s representative for the environment has promised to support Estonia in every way possible and to provide any help that may be needed at the European level. Yesterday, 27 September, the Ministry of the Environment approached the Ministry of Justice regarding interception of the vessel, as according to preliminary information, the samples taken from the washing water of the fuel tanks of the ship, which is currently anchored in the Port of Paldiski, have indicated the presence of the same substances that are likely to have caused the poisoning in Côte d’Ivoire. The Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal investigation. As the Minister of the Environment also received a request from his counterpart in Côte d’Ivoire to hold the Probo Koala for investigation, the Minister decided to visit the team that was assembled yesterday at the Port of Paldiski in order to obtain an overview of the situation from representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Estonian Maritime Administration, the Border Guard, the Police and environmental inspectors. The Minister praised the team on their excellent cooperation in resolving matters associated with the Probo Koala. Last night Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan met with Greenpeace representative Jacob Hartmann to discuss issues related to the Probo Koala and to thank the environmental activists. Hartmann expressed his pleasure at being invited to meet the Minister and praised Estonia for its rapid reaction. The Ministry of the Environment also received a letter yesterday from Carl Schlyter, a member of the European Parliament and of the Swedish Green Party, who also praised Estonia for the action it had taken to intercept the vessel and stressed the international importance of the prevention of environmental threats. For further information please contact: Manuela Pihlap Press officer, Ministry of the Environment 562 50398 Public Relations Department, Ministry of the Environment 626 2908, 626 2811, 626 2917, 625 0398, 514 8627, 521 2602
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