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Swedish Estonians take action against Nord Stream in Gotland


On Saturday 23rd April the Estonian National Congress in Sweden (ENCS) adopted a resolution to express concern regarding international security in the Baltic Sea area. The Congress pointed out that decisions which are about to be made by the Gotland Island local authorities could severely impact security and environment in the Baltic Sea.

Evelin Tamm, Chairman of the ENCS Committee on Politics and International Affairs, said "We follow the developments on both shores of the Baltic Sea very closely and, as a result, we are deeply concerned about the forthcoming decisions. The 'Nord Stream' company wishes to expand its service facilities in the harbour at Slite in the expectation of increased investment and work opportunities for the local authorities. This, however, is a potentially serious risk, which needs to be examined in a wider context and which demands greater public debate."
www.rootsieestlasteliit.org

The resolution follows a response from Margot Wallström, the Swedish Foreign Minister, to a letter that the ENCS had sent to her on 5th February. In her reply she states that Sweden will follow international agreements and that the local authorities on Gotland have a high level of independence to make those types of decisions.

The ENCS resolution points out the risk arising from the Nord Stream investments on Gotland. The actions of Nord Stream can, in future, be used as a way to legitimise the expansion of the Kreml´s sphere of
interest in the Baltic Sea.

“Gotland is a strategic base to all who want to control the Baltic Sea. When one thinks about Putin's recent behaviour towards its neighbouring countries the leasing of Slite Harbour facilities to Gazprom could put both Swedish and Estonian security at risk”, said Aho Rebas, Member of the ENCS Committee on Politics and International Affairs and former Inspector General of Estonian Defence Forces and former Head of Estonian Intelligence and Counterintelligence Services.

The Estonian National Congress in Sweden (ENCS) is an association of Estonian organisations in Sweden comprising 25 member organisations and local groups all over Sweden. The main task of the ENCS is to
represent the interest of the Estonian community living in Sweden.

Contacts
Sirle Sööt, Chairman of ENCS
+46 72-519 0480, sirle.soot@gmail.com

Evelin Tamm, Chairman of ENCS Committee on Politics and International
Affairs tammevelin@gmail.com

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