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Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

28.08.2024

We have received a response from Russia but it does not provide a constructive answer to our proposal for a joint survey of the fairway. I would like to recall that Estonia proposed a joint survey of the fairway on the Narva River because the borderline between Estonia and Russia runs along the fairway. In its reply, Russia set the ratification of the border treaty as a precondition for a discussion over the survey of the fairway, which is not relevant or in any way related to the incident organised by Russia on the Narva River in May. Russia must not cross the borderline and arbitrarily remove Estonia's border buoys from Estonian waters regardless of the state of the ratification of the border treaty.

We would like to recall that with its aggression in Ukraine, Russia is violating all its international commitments, including the UN charter; therefore, signing or ratifying any agreements with Russia in light of the ongoing aggression is not appropriate. Nevertheless, we consider it important to have a balanced and constructive resolution to the situation arising from the removal of the border buoys, and we consider Estonia's initial proposal for a joint survey on the Narva River justified, in order to determine the precise route of the fairway, which may have changed over decades due to natural conditions.

Estonia remains in close contacts with its Allies and partners and is considering how to proceed.