BALTIC SEAENVIRONMENT PROCEEDINGS No. 59 - Helcom

During the last year the ecological situation in the Russian
part of the Baltic Sea Area did not change significantly. Dischar-
ges of some heavy metals and oil products remained practically un-
changed. Discharges of BOD and phosphorus were reduced, But dischar-
ges of nitrogen in Leningrad region increased. We understand that
this situation cannot last long and cannot satisfy our neighbours
in the region. But it is quite clear now that Russia is not in a po-
sition to implement in due time the international obligations accor-
ding to the Ronneby Declaration of 1990 at the expense of only our
national resources. That is why foreign investments in the form of
loans, technologies transfer and technical cooperation are impor-
tant for the Programme implementation in Russia. This is important
for our partners as well due to our common ecological problems in
the Baltic Sea region.
We understand, that the present social, economic and political
situation in Russia and inadequately adjusted legal standards create
a considerable ri.sk and prevent intensive development of financial
and economic relations. Nevertheless, we think that our common tasks
will allow to elaborate common and mutually acceptable approaches
for solution of ecological problems under conditionsof political
instability.
Good traditional and successful relations and cooperation in
the field of environment protection have been established between
Finland and Russia by now, and P strong basis has been laid for
cooperation in the Programme implementation. We have also started
preparation of