In February, a Russian vessel entered Estonian territorial waters near Vaindlo Island without permission
Gulf of Finland (Illustrative photo: Anatoly Maltsev/EPA)
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has handed a note to a representative of the Russian Federation because the Russian icebreaker Murmansk entered the country’s territorial waters without permission. This is stated in the statement of the Foreign Ministry.
On Tuesday, March 3, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the Russian Federation to hand him a note regarding the violation of the rules of movement of Russian icebreakers in Estonian territorial waters.
“We would like to remind Russia with this note that clear and unambiguous rules apply in Estonian territorial waters, even during the icebreaking season. Compliance with these rules is mandatory for everyone in order to avoid future violations of procedural law,” said Margus Tahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.
on February 28, the Russian icebreaker Murmansk entered Estonian territorial waters near Vaindlo Island in the Gulf of Finland without permission to free the tanker Olympic Friendship, which was stuck in the ice.
Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Estonian Navy was informed of the Murmansk’s entry into Estonian territorial waters, and it did not respond to radio messages from the Estonian Navy. The icebreaker remained within the Estonian borders for four minutes.
A foreign vessel may pass through territorial waters without hindrance if the foreign state notifies the MFA through diplomatic channels at least 48 hours before entry.
Due to the difficult ice conditions and the need to provide assistance to ships, Estonia is ready to reduce the notification period from 48 hours to six hours until the end of the icebreaking season.
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