RIGA - In a sudden about-face over statements made in early July that Russia would halt transit cargo through the Baltic states' ports, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Veshnyakov has said that "Russian interest in the Baltic ports will not disappear."
"I do not think that transportation of cargo through the Baltic ports will stop by 2015. The Russian position is clear. When ten years ago there was a problem with transportation of cargo through the Baltic ports, we looked for a solution; Russia decided to build and develop its own ports. This has been accomplished by investing large resources in Primorsk, St.Petersburg, etc," Veshnyakov said in a July 21 interview with Latvijas Avize.
"It is in the national interest of Russia to promote its independence. Of course, Russia is interested in its developed ports to work at a full capacity," the ambassador said.
"At the same time, I hope that our countries will have good and friendly relations, and that there will not be any artificial obstacles so that businessmen will be able to decide which port will be more convenient for them," he said.
Veshnyakov said that Russia is facing rapid economic growth, demanding more active cooperation with the European Union relating to higher transit volumes. The EU expects cargo transportation in containers to increase by six times in the coming years.
"Where will it happen? Not in Rotterdam or Hamburg, as the possibilities at these ports are almost exhausted. The Baltic ports, meanwhile, have lots of unused possibilities, and I hope that by promoting friendly relations the transit sector will see a rapid increase through Latvia. The advantageous geographic situation is a huge national value which should be used wisely," he added.
Asked whether oil transit through Ventspils can be restarted, Veshnyakov said that there is this possibility in the future.
"Ventspils is being used for oil transit already now. Yes, the pipeline is not working, but oil transit is still operating successfully. I think it has a possibility in the future. At the same time, if we have unacceptable conditions imposed upon us, as happened in the 1990s, Russia will react correspondingly," he said.
Russian Vice Premier Ivanov said during the government's naval issues board session in St.Petersburg in early July that Russia will cease export of oil products and coal through the Baltic ports by 2015.
"We have... a task to fully discontinue oil and coal exports through the Baltic states and to increase the capacity of doing it through our own ports," he said.
Transneft, the Russian monopoly pipeline operator, stopped exporting oil through the Ventspils terminal in February 2003.
