Global General
Baltic Sea Action Summit opens in Helsinki
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-10 17:56
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HELSINKI: The Baltic Sea Action Summit opened on Wednesday in Helsinki with leaders expected to make commitment to saving the world's most polluted sea.
"It is clear that we need cooperation of all the countries in the region to work together to solve environmental problems of the Baltic Sea," Finnish President Tarja Halonen said in her opening speech."
The Baltic Sea is a route for travel and trade, but decades of exploitation and sheer irresponsibility have taken their toll on its vulnerable eco-system.
It is clear that something has to be done quickly," she added. Seven foreign heads of state or government join Halonen in the meeting, including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin who will arrive at noon. Meanwhile, some 350 people from business circle and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also taking part in the summit.
