The message reads, in part:
“2014 has been named the Year of the Gulf of Finland in Russia, Finland and Estonia. These three countries are cooperating in the implementation of a complex programme to monitor and study this unique body of water. The programme is aimed at developing additional measures to be taken in the period until 2021 to improve the marine environment.
Your forum opens the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland Year. I would like to note that preserving the environment while using marine basins for economic development is a priority task in this country.
During Russia’s Presidency of the G20, the Global Marine Environment Protection initiative entered the stage of practical implementation. A website was launched to promote experience exchange in preventing accidents that occur in the course of exploration, production and transportation of hydrocarbons, as well as relief efforts following such accidents.
I would like to stress that the implementation of large-scale tasks pertaining to the environmental security of the Gulf of Finland requires efficient cooperation between governments, as well as business, financial, scientific and expert communities of the entire Baltic region.
I am certain that the Forum will generate practical new recommendations and proposals on promoting international cooperation in nature conservation.”