Agreement concerning passenger traffic on the Saimaa Canal and in the territory leased by the Republic of Finland from the USSR and concerning transit traffic to Leningrad

The Government of the Republic of Finland and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
Having regard to the favourable development of friendly, goodneighbourly relations between the Republic of Finland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the basis of the Finnish-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance of l948,
In response to the desire of the Government of the Republic of Finland to use the Saimaa Canal for passenger traffic,
Desiring to settle these matters with a view to ensuring comprehensive coöperation between the two countries,
Have decided to conclude this Agreement and have for that purpose appointed as their plenipotentiaries:
The Government of the Republic of Finland:
Urho Kiukas, Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland for the Saimaa Canal;
The Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:
Georgy Yakovlevich Pyasetsky, Plenipotentiary of the USSR for the Saimaa Canal,
who, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The Contracting Parties agree to the opening of passenger traffic on the Saimaa Canal, on the Soviet part of the Canal and in the territory leased by the Republic of Finland, and of transit traffic to and from Leningrad, beginning in 1968 and throughout the period of operation of the Agreement of 27 September 1962 between the Republic of Finland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the lease to the Republic of Finland of the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal and Maly Vysotsky Island.

Article 2

Passengers may be carried by water on board passenger vessels, freight-and-passenger vessels or pleasure craft sailing under the Hag of the Republic of Finland or of the USSR in the directions indicated in article 1 of this Agreement. However, Finnish pleasure craft may pass through the leased territory of the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal only if the permission of the competent Finnish and Soviet authorities is obtained in each case.

After crossing the Finnish-Soviet State frontier, vessels shall, while in the internal and territorial waters of the Republic of Finland, proceed only along he fairway recommended by the competent authorities of the Republic of Finland and, while in the internal and territorial waters of the USSR, proceed only along the fairway recommended by the competent authorities of the USSR.

Passage through the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal by vessels of any kind sailing under the flag of a third country, with the exception of trading vessels engaged in the commercial transport of goods or in towing to or from the Republic of Finland, shall not be permitted.

Article 3

Combined passenger traffic by vessel and by motor vehicle shall be permitted. Passengers may transfer from one means of transport to another at Leningrad or at the Vyborg transit point.

Article 4

Travel by nationals of the Republic of Finland, the USSR or third countries in the directions indicated in article 1 of this Agreement shall, if their route crosses the Finnish-Soviet State frontier, be permitted only if the persons concerned are in possession of the appropriate passports and entry and exit visas.

The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall carry out frontier, customs and health control at points to be designated by each Contracting Party in its own territory.

Article 5

The crews and passengers of vessels shall be required, on the Finnish part of the Saimaa Canal and in Finnish internal and territorial waters, to comply with the laws, rules, regulations, instructions and directions in force in the territory of the Republic of Finland and, on the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal and in Soviet internal and territorial waters, to comply with the laws, rules, regulations, instructions and directions in force in the territory of the USSR.

Article 6

The rental for the passage through the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal of passenger vessels, freight-and-passenger vessels and pleasure craft sailing under the Hag of the Republic of Finland shall be calculated, on the basis of the gross registered tonnage of the said vessels, in the manner specified in article 10 of the Agreement of 27 September 1962 between the Republic of Finland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the lease to the Republic of Finland of the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal and Maly Vysotsky Island, one gross registered ton being deemed equivalent to one ton of goods transported.

Article 7

The provisions of this Agreement relate only to transit passenger traffic on the Saimaa Canal. In all other matters relating to passenger traffic which are connected with the interpretation and application of this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall apply the provisions of the Agreement of 27 September 1962 between the Republic of Finland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the lease to the Republic of Finland of the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal and Maly Vysotsky Island.

This Agreement is subject to approval by the Government of each of the Contracting Parties. It shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of notes concerning its approval and shall remain in force for the period specified in article 1 of this Agreement or until the expiry of ninety days from the date on which one of the Contracting Parties gives notice of its intention to terminate the Agreement.

Done at Helsinki, on 7 March 1968, in duplicate in the Finnish and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

For the Government of the Republic of Finland:
Urho Kiukas

For the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:
G.Pyasetsky