“The Saimaa Canal Advisory Council, the decision to suspend its work was made in September, is not a bilateral structure, but a purely Finnish national advisory body formed under the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications for the exchange of information between authorities, regional organizations and businesses. Russian representatives were not included in the council,” the diplomatic mission said.
At the same time, diplomats emphasized that the agreement on Finland’s lease of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal remains in effect.
“The embassy is not aware of any intentions on the part of the Finnish side regarding its possible denunciation,” the diplomats noted.
In September, the Finnish government announced its decision to temporarily suspend the work of the Saimaa Canal Advisory Board.
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