Border Treaty Waiting for Putin’s Decision, MP Says
The Estonian-Russian border treaty is awaiting the approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin and probably will not be put on a parliamentary vote before the fall.
The treaty passed the first reading in the Estonian Parliament in April and the MPs decided the second reading will be scheduled only once Russia has also began proceedings, Marko Mihkelson, head of the Parliament's foreign affairs committee, told Estonian Radio today.
“According to the latest information we have received through diplomatic channels, the treaties have reached the government and the approval process is ongoing. We will see when the president will decide to forward the border treaties to the State Duma. It is likely to happen this autumn at the earliest,” Mihkelson said.
According to his sources, the Ukrainian crisis has not had a significant impact on the process, he added.
“It is wise not to get ahead of events. Of course, it is in our interests to achieve the result in a way that is respects the interests of both sides, in our case, the national security interests of Estonia,” the MP said.