You're reading: Estonian govt to debate cross-border cooperation accord with Russia

Tallinn - The Estonian government is expected to debate a proposed cross-border cooperation agreement with Russia at a session on Thursday.

“The agreement is expected to regulate cooperation both with the regions located in the immediate vicinity of the border and more distant areas,” an Estonian cabinet spokesman told Interfax.

The document can apply to the northern part of the Pskov region and the western part of the Leningrad region in Russia, as well as Estonia’s Ida-Viru, Jogeva, Tartu, Polva and Voru counties.

The agreement will regulate cooperation in transportation and cargo shipping near the Estonian-Russian border, projects to enhance the infrastructure of border crossing points, environmental protection, as well as cooperation in trade, business, science, technologies, the joint use of natural resources and joint efforts to respond to fires and other emergencies.

A commission made up of officials of the Estonian and Russian governments will oversee the implementation of the agreement.

Estonia previously signed similar agreements with Finland and Poland, while Russia has similar accords with Latvia and Lithuania.