HELSINKI, August 11 (RIA Novosti) - Finnish President Tarja Halonen on Friday approved a draft agreement with Russia to convert into barter $30 million borrowed from Finland as a member of the Paris Club of creditor nations.

Risto Paaerma, of the Finnish Trade Ministry's financial department, told RIA Novosti that under the deal, Russia would provide $30 mln worth of goods and services to pay off its Soviet-era debt in 2006-2008.

Ambassador Harry Helenius will sign the agreement on the Finnish government's behalf at a ceremony in Moscow on August 14 or 15. The sides will then draw up a list of merchandise to be supplied.

Paaerma said Finland was particularly interested in receiving research and training equipment from Russia.

This will be the fourth, and final, debt conversion agreement between Russia and Finland, as Russian authorities have pledged to seek an early settlement of Soviet-era debts.

On August 21, the day of Russia's debt payments to the Paris Club, Finland expects to receive an outstanding sum of $270 mln. Almost one-third of the $860 mln debt was repaid last year.