Vladimir Putin visits Helsinki to mark Nord Stream's victory over ecologists.
Today, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will address the Baltic Sea Action Summit in Helsinki. Moscow regards this meeting as a platform for launching an information campaign prior to the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline and yet another opportunity for bilateral talks. According to a source in the House of Government, the Prime Minister's interest is focused on his acquaintance with Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania, who was a vocal opponent of the Nord Stream project when serving as a European Commission's functionary.
The proclaimed aim of the Helsinki summit is to unite governments, businesses, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in their efforts to rescue the Baltic Sea from pollution. "For many people the most shocking effect is the toxic blue green algae layers that prevent swimming during the summertime. The difference between the current water conditions and the clear blue waters of their childhood memories is alarming" – such is the nostalgic description of ecological catastrophe in the organisers' statement. People are now even banned from eating certain Baltic Sea fish because of high toxin levels.
The Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG), acting as the main organiser of the summit, has been dubbed the "executive arm" of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), an international organisation for the protection of the Baltic ecosystem. However, Finns make up the majority of BSAG, despite its orientation as an international organisation. Saara Kankaanrinta, BSAG secretary general, told RBC Daily that no documents would be signed in Helsinki, with a press release to be the only result put on paper. "The participants will listen to one another and report on what his/her country or organisation is doing to implement HELCOM's action plan," she said. State officials from all 14 Baltic countries will address the summit.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will represent Russia. A government source claims that he could not refuse the persuasive requests of the Finnish leaders with whom he "has a good personal relationship." The Prime Minister will also incorporate a national agenda into his speech: he intends to describe how "efforts to preserve the unique ecosystem [of the Baltic]" could potentially dovetail with the construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which is expected to ensure the energy security of all participating countries. The environmental impact was the main argument against the Nord Stream from its opponents in the Baltic republics and Poland, which is why the current pipeline is to run through the territorial waters of Scandinavian countries, who have agreed, albeit reluctantly, to give the project the green light.
The summit is important for Moscow as a means of jump-starting its information campaign prior to the start of pipeline construction this spring. "Despite all the accords, there are political levers that can seriously hinder the project's implementation," says Dmitry Abzalov, an analyst at the Centre for Political Studies. "The Swedes' requirements (such as the restriction of construction activities during the spawning season) are difficult to meet. A positive information field must be created now."
According to Mikhail Krutikhin, a RusEnergy partner, Mr Putin's speech will become Gazprom's "triumphant march on the Baltic seabed. After the receipt of permits from the Scandinavians, the opponents' voices can be ignored."
One of the main opponents of the Russian gas pipeline project is Dalia Grybauskaite, the current president of Lithuania (previously, a European budget commissioner), who has said categorically, for all Brussels to hear, that she "would be happy if the project were taken off the agenda." Of all Mr Putin's bilateral meetings in Helsinki, his talks with the Lithuanian president are considered a priority, given the fact that both displayed an interest and desire to meet, the government source said. Mikhail Krutikhin thinks that the need for a meeting is also dictated by energy considerations, though from another corner. Lithuania has practically closed down the Ignalina NPP, while Russia intends to build a nuclear power plant in the Kaliningrad Region. This intention gives rise to serious concern in Vilnius.
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Swedes decry Russian waste
Shortly before the Helsinki summit, a Russian-Swedish ecological scandal is about to erupt. According to Swedish media reports, the Russian military could have buried chemical weapons or radioactive waste off the coast of Gotland Island in 1991-1994, as the Swedish special services allegedly reported in their secret documents of ten years ago. Against the backdrop of public outrage, Swedish leaders say that they were not aware of such allegations and that all questions pertaining to the matter should be addressed to the previous government.
Inga Vorobyeva, Vyacheslav Leonov