STATEMENT OF THE RIIGIKOGU
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS RELATED TO THE GAS
PIPELINE PLANNED IN THE BALTIC SEA
The Riigikogu expresses its concern regarding the possible environmental impactof the gas pipeline planned by Nord Stream AG.The Riigikogu stresses that the research conducted by the Baltic MarineEnvironment Protection Commission (HELCOM) and the International MaritimeOrganisation (IMO) has confirmed the particularly sensitive environmental status ofthe Baltic Sea.The Riigikogu notes that the assessment of environmental impact initiated on thebasis of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a TransboundaryContext (Espoo Convention) has not sufficiently taken into consideration all the risksconnected to the project and that the permits necessary for carrying out the projectcannot thus be issued in respect of the generally recognised precautionary principle ofinternational environmental law.The Riigikogu considers it vital that the competent authorities of the countriesbordering the Baltic Sea seriously consider all the environmental risks of the project,taking into account the most comprehensive scientific data available and not basingtheir decision solely on the deficient information provided by the developer.The Riigikogu calls on the parliaments of all countries bordering the Baltic Sea tocarry out parliamentary supervision over the assessment of environmental impact andthe processes of issuing permits, in order to ensure that the relevant scientific data isfully taken into account and that the general public contributes efficiently to theprocess.The Riigikogu attaches great importance to the need for the members of theparliaments of the countries bordering the Baltic Sea to discuss the project in depth atpublic forums, and proposes that a parliamentary conference dedicated to discussingthe building of the Baltic Sea gas pipeline be organised.The Riigikogu recognises the work of all the scientists who have truthfullydescribed the environmental risks connected to the Baltic Sea gas pipeline and havebrought these to public attention.Tallinn, 27 October 2009