REPuBLIc OF EsT0NIA
!\ MINIsTRY OF EcoNoMIc AFFAIRs
() AND C0MMuNIcATI0Ns
Adina Välean
Cornm issioner
European Cornmission Our Ref: 03.02.2023 No 24.1-6/2023/699-1
Baltic Transport Ministers’ Joint Statement
Calling upon Exclusion of Russia from the IMO
Council
Dear Commissioner Välean,
The unjustified and illegal war of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine has caused
immense amount of damage and suffering throughout Ukraine. This aggression rnust have
consequences and Russia must face isolation on the international stage for its deplorable actions.
The Foreign Affairs Council agreed on this necessity aiready in March of 2022.
Until Russia stops its hostility and becomes a peaceful nation, it should not be able to be a part of
the highest executive bodies of international organisations. The International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) will hold elections for its Council in its Assembly late in 2023, expectedly on
the 1st ofDecember. Russia is currently in the Council elected under category A and it is expected
that they wiIl raise their candidacy for a seat at the next Council as well.
On the 23rd ofJanuary 2023, a meeting of the Baltic Transport Ministers was held in Tallinn. The
ministers ail wholeheartedly agreed that Russia should face consequences for its unprovoked
aggression. Therefore, a joint statement to that effect was signed, declaring that the Baltic States
will not he giving their vote for Russia at the IMO elections and calling upon other IMO mernber
states to do the same. On behalf of the transport ministers ofBaltic States 1 forward this statement
to you for your consideration and to ask the support of the European Comrnission for the Baltic
initiative. An aggressive state like Russia should not be able to hold a seat at an irnportant executive
body like the IMO Council and the example set by the ICAO Council elections must he followed.
With best regards,
Riina Sikkut
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
Enclosed:
Baltic Transport Ministers’ Joint Statement Calling upon Exclusion of Russia frorn the
International Maritime Organisation’s Council
Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / ESTONIA
Phone: +372 625 6342 / Fax: +372 631 3660 / E-mail:
[email protected] / http://www.mkm.ee