Just recently, a meeting was held between Mr Villu Reiljan and the Finnish Minister of the Environment Mr Jan-Erik Enestem. The issues discussed at this meeting between colleagues covered the pollution of the Gulf of Finland and the oil abatement ship EVA 316 that will be built in Estonia, the Kyoto Protocol and the ecological tax reform. Mr Reiljan said that the meeting that took place this morning in Finland was held in a pleasant and mutually understanding atmosphere. As Estonia and Finland cooperate in several fields, the Ministers of the Environment of the two countries discussed common subjects. One of the central subjects of discussion was the Gulf of Finland that most directly connects the Estonian and Finnish people, and taking care of its cleanliness. Estonia has constantly acted with the aim of keeping the Baltic Sea clean. Now, Estonia intends to start using its own universal oil abatement ship that will be rebuilt from the buoy boat EVA-316 belonging to the Estonian Maritime Administration. This ship would be engaged in pollution abatement in the Gulf of Finland. Therefore, Finland is also highly interested in this matter and has promised to subsidise the renovation project with nearly 1.5 million euros. The closing date for submitting tenders for the corresponding public procurement will arrive next week. Russia plays a very important role in reducing the pollution of the Baltic Sea. Therefore, both Ministers expressed their hope at this meeting that Russia will continue to implement its recent positive decisions that should ensure the gradual improvement of the aquatic environment of the Baltic Sea. In the near future a cooperation agreement between Estonia and Russia will be concluded on antipollution activities in the Baltic Sea. A similar agreement has already been concluded between Finland and Russia. The corresponding agreement between Estonia and Finland was signed in 1993. In addition, the Ministers of the Environment discussed Estonian and Finnish joint projects arising from the Kyoto Protocol in relation to the development of environment-friendlier solutions for energy production. For example, the district heating boiler plants of Tamsalu and Kadrina have been renovated and wind energy utilisation solutions have been developed with Finnish assistance: the governments of Estonia and Finland concluded a cooperation agreement on the joint operation of the Pakri wind park in autumn 2003. The Kyoto Protocol provides for the planned reduction of air pollution in countries that have signed the Protocol. On this basis, the countries are able to sell their pollution quotas. As Estonia remains within permitted air pollution limits, we are allowed to resell our quotas. In addition to the above, the Ministers discussed ecological tax reform that is a very topical subject in Estonia, as Estonia is currently developing the concept of ecological tax reform. Besides other Nordic countries, Germany, the Netherlands and others, Finland has been one of the most successful countries in implementing the green tax reform. Further information: |
