Council of Baltic Sea States discusses Kaliningrad transit

SZCZECIN (Poland), June 10 (RIA Novosti) - The Council of Baltic Sea States discussed transit to the Kaliningrad region (Russia's exclave on the Baltic Sea) and its participation in regional projects at a session in Poland.

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Chizhov, "the Kaliningrad issue was raised by the Russian, Lithuanian and Polish foreign ministers." "They spoke about transit and the participation of the Kaliningrad region in regional projects."

Cargo transit was not discussed in detail because this is an issue of Russia's relations with the European Union and Lithuania, Chizhov said.

The session's agenda includes cooperation in the Baltic Sea area, reinforcement of the Council's role, cooperation at the border and other levels, promotion of economic ties, consolidation of civil societies and nature protection, the Russian diplomat said.

Russia comes out for making the Council of the Baltic Sea States a self-sufficient body which should not be an instrument of the EU, he added.

The Russian and Polish delegations held a bilateral meeting to discuss the situation on the border between Kaliningrad and Poland, Chizhov said.

"The Russian side reaffirmed concern over the aggravation of the situation on the border. The sides agreed to take urgent coordinated measures to improve the situation by means of consultations between the local authorities, border guards and customs officers," he said.