Estonia proposes joint Narva River survey with Russia

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) – Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday proposed that the Baltic country and Russia jointly survey the Narva River as "one way of resolving the differences."

The move comes after Estonian authorities summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy to present a diplomatic note, said national broadcaster ERR.

The ministry sent the diplomatic letter to Russian Embassy in Tallinn suggesting that the two countries should conduct joint measurements of the fairway of the border river, the broadcaster added.

"Through diplomatic notes, Estonia has demanded an explanation from Russia for the removal of 25 buoys on the night of May 23. In its replies, Russia has claimed that Estonia installed the buoys in question in Russian waters. Estonia does not agree with this claim," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the Estonian government, Kremlin has not presented any materials supporting its interpretation that “the buoys were allegedly on Russian territory."

The ministry further stated that the two countries have a different understanding of the route of the fairway, which is also the basis for the border line between Estonia and Russia.

Natural bodies of water can change over decades because of natural conditions, and for that reason, the Baltic state proposed a joint survey of the body of water, the government said. The most recent survey of the bed of the Narva River took place nearly 20 years ago, according to ERR.

"Estonia certainly does not agree to resolving these differences in a way where instead of a peaceful dialogue, the buoys are removed under the cover of night. In its diplomatic communication, Estonia has called on Russia to resolve the possible differences over the precise location of the buoys in a balanced way. A joint survey of the fairway would be one way of resolving the differences," the statement said.

Authorities confirmed that the results would not call into question the legitimacy of the temporary control line between Tallinn and Moscow but would provide a new and objective basis to rule out any ambiguity.

It has been suggested the survey take place in August at the latest, said ERR, adding that without markers present on the river it can be dangerous for boats as they can cross the border accidentally.

If Russia rejects the proposal, the Baltic country will continue to consider the location of the fairway based on the measurements made in 2005-2006, the ministry said, adding it will then replace the buoys necessary for navigation in Estonian waters.