Russian President Dmitry Medvedev begins a two-day visit to Finland on Monday to discuss bilateral economic ties, energy issues, including the Nord Stream project, and prospects for signing a pan-European security pact.
A Kremlin aide said Medvedev is making the visit at the invitation of his Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen.
"The agenda for the visit envisages top-level talks and a meeting with the parliament''s leadership," Sergei Prikhodko said.
Energy cooperation is expected to feature highly on the agenda, with Russia meeting 100% of Finland''s gas needs as well as exporting some 70% of the country''s crude oil supplies.
"When discussing issues concerning the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, running under the Baltic Sea across the Finnish economic zone, the accent will focus on the observance of the strictest environmental requirements during the project''s implementation," the presidential aide said.
Environmental approval is required from Finland, as well as Sweden, Denmark and Germany, to build the pipeline which will cross their territorial waters. Other Baltic nations are also involved in talks to discuss potential border cooperation as part of the project.
The pipeline''s first leg of some 1,200 km with an annual capacity of 27.5 billion cu m of gas is planned to be commissioned in 2010. Work to launch the second line is expected to be completed by 2012.
Five of fourteen accused of kidnapping and killing Orienbonk deputy head sentenced to life in prison
Director of post office in Vahdat Township faces charges of embezzling large amount of state funds
Regional official detained for organizing celebrations after returning from Umrah
Dushanbe authorities decide to postpone the main Navrouz festive celebrations due to bad weather
Dissing the Tajik President online can send you straight to jail
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan reportedly agree upon another more than 10 kilometers of shared border
Rahmon congratulates Putin on landslide victory in presidential election
Putin wins landslide reelection Russian presidential election with 87.97% of the vote, first official results show
EU official visits GBAO to review the Sebzor hydropower project
Tajikistan lacks a transparent personnel policy for the appointment of civil servants, says expert
All news
Авторизуйтесь, пожалуйста