State of boundary and customs infrastructure on the Karelian site of the Russian-Finnish border was discussed the Government of Karelia at the operational meeting on December, 11th. Extent of the Russian-Finnish border today makes 1325.8 km, and its length in Karelia is 798.3 km (that is 60% of total extent). On Karelian length of border there are three multilateral automobile border crossing points: Vartsilä, Lyttä and Suoperä (of which Vartsilä and Lyttä are also railway border crossing points of Vartsilä and Kivijärvi boundary stations) and seven simplified automobile border crossing points.
As Minister of Economic Development of the RK Mikhail Yurinov has told, in 2005 general turnover of goods through check points has made 7,426 million tons (116.18% compared to 2004). In 2006, according to the Minister, growth of volumes is expected: on results of 2006 turnover of goods through the Karelian section of border will presumably make about 8 million tons of cargoes. The basic flow of traffic - 69,2%, as a rule, is provided by two railway border crossing points. In turnover of goods export prevails. Timber industry production is exported in the volume of 3 million cubic meters annually including about 441 thousand cubic meters of sawn timber. Simplified check points service export of about 30% of timber. 140 contracts of 85 Karelian participants of foreign trade activities (according to 2005) are realized through them. Cross border passenger traffic in 2005 has made almost 1,5 million people (104% to 2004), who go mainly through multilateral automobile border crossing points (93.41%).
Government of Karelia pays special attention to preservation and development of system of crossing points. In recent years, Mikhail Yurinov noted, we succeeded in their facilitating and equipping that has allowed improving work conditions of supervising bodies and providing regularity of work of these points. In 2005 Vartsilä multilateral automobile border crossing point switched to around-the-clock work. In May, 2006 construction of Suoperä multilateral automobile border crossing point under the TACIS project (€5,635 million) was completed, its official opening took place in October. Work on inclusion of Vartsilä and Lyttä railway check points in the Russian Federation Border (2003-2010) Federal Target Program for reconstruction is underway. Necessary approvals are already received, final decision on their inclusion in the Federal Target Program should be made by the Government of the Russian Federation in 2007. According to the separate plan there goes additional facilitating and equipping of Lyttä railway check point.
Work of Karelian lumberers will be facilitated considerably with the decision on switching simplified check points onto visa regulations since January, 1st, 2007. Russian carriers of cargo will have an opportunity to work through simplified check points, and Finnish carriers will be able to make more trips since their stay in the Russian territory in conformity with their visa status will be prolonged for the term of about three days instead of one.
However, Mikhail Yurinov has noted, there are also causes for anxiety. It is related to the fact that at formation of the map of border zone territories within Karelia Russian government has not considered the offer from our republic. As the Prime Minister of Government of the Pavel Chernov declared at the meeting, arrangements that border zone would pass in conformity with old maps of the Soviet period have been made. However, today it is clear, that frontier zones will be located in eight regions of Karelia, having stretched here and there up to Kola road (St.-Petersburg - Murmansk). Under the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development of the RK, it will both cause problems for people intending to visit this or that frontier region, cause additional problems in work of passport and visa service, and will also become an essential obstacle on the way of development of tourism in the republic. To take a rest in the most interesting and virginal corners of Karelia, reception of additional documents will be required, which will not merely keep from attracting more tourists, but will essentially reduce volume of its visitings by Russians.
Mikhail Yurinov has suggested to address again to the Government of Russia with a request to reconsider the established frontier zone limits, and for this purpose to hold a meeting for implemetation of Bases of boundary policy of the Russian Federation in territory of the RK with participation of representatives of FSS Boundary Office of Russia in Karelia.
www.gov.karelia.ru
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