12 september 2024 — 14:05
Finland has suspended the work of the advisory council with Russia on the Saimaa Canal until "a change in the international situation and the restoration of navigation." Helsinki leases most of the waterway and surrounding areas.
The work of the advisory council of Russia and Finland on the Saimaa Canal will be suspended, RBC reports, citing information from the press service of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications.
"The government has decided to temporarily suspend the work of the advisory council on the Saimaa Canal. His activities were mainly focused on providing information about the situation in the Saimaa Canal and the Saimaa region," the statement said.
As noted in the department, in fact, the council did not meet after the start of the military operation in Ukraine, the resumption of its work is possible "in the event of a change in the international situation and the restoration of navigation."
As noted in the Finnish Ministry of Transport, the term of office of the current advisory board began on April 1, 2022. Every year, the parties agreed on a protocol on the opening and duration of navigation. This document was adopted in accordance with the lease agreement of the Saimaa Canal.