Agreement concerning the lease to the Republic of Finland of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and the adjacent territory and vessel traffic through the Saimaa CanalThe Republic of Finland and the Russian Federation, hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”, Noting the positive outcomes of the implementation of the Agreement 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, signed in Moscow on 27 September 1962, Desiring to support the development of coöperation between the two States in the areas of transport, trade and tourism, Desiring to enable unhindered vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal and to enhance its competitiveness, including by maintaining an appropriate level of canal servicing, Recognizing the need to keep the environment in the Saimaa Canal area and the adjacent territory in good condition, Upholding the principles of coöperation in the implementation of the terms of the lease of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and vessel traffic through it by the Plenipotentiaries appointed by each of the Parties, Have agreed as follows: Chapter I. General provisions Article 1. Terms and definitions For the purposes of this Agreement: “Canals leading to the Gulf of Finland” means the approach canals from the Brusnichnoe lock to Mariankivi and from Mariankivi to Vikhrevoy Island; “Fairways leading to the Gulf of Finland” means the longitudinal pilot fairway from the Finnish-Russian State border to Vikhrevoy Island and the fairway from Vikhrevoy Island to the Gulf of Finland; “Technological roads” means the road from the Nuijamaa crossing point to the Brusnichnoe lock and other roads in the leased territory that are used exclusively for the purpose of facilitating the operation of the Saimaa Canal; “Management of vessel traffic” means the management of the movement of vessels to prevent dangerous situations from developing and to ensure the safety and effectiveness of vessel traffic; “Service personnel“ means the persons responsible for the operation of the leased territory; “Boundary lines“ means special lines designating the boundaries of the leased territory; “Environmental damage” means negative change to the environment as a result of its contamination, leading to the degradation of natural ecological systems and the depletion of natural resources; “Customs payments” means customs duties, taxes, customs clearance tolls and other tolls imposed on the movement of goods and vehicles across the customs border; “Territorial sea” means the sea area up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from the baselines determined in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982; “Internal waters“ means the waters located between the shore and the baselines determined in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982. Article 2. Subject of the Agreement 1. In accordance with this Agreement, the Russian Federation shall lease to the Republic of Finland, for a period of 50 years, part of the territory of the Russian Federation, including the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and the adjacent waters and land (hereinafter referred to as “the leased territory”). 2. Unless otherwise provided for herein, this Agreement shall not affect the Finnish-Russian State border arrangements, which are set out in separate international agreements in force between the Republic of Finland and the Russian Federation. 3. Nothing in this Agreement should be taken as the granting by the Russian Federation to the Republic of Finland of the right to use the mineral resources and forests in the leased territory. 4. This Agreement shall establish the conditions and legal basis for coöperation between the Parties in matters related to the lease to the Republic of Finland of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and the adjacent waters and land, including in matters related to vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal, the access of service personnel to the leased territory, conditions of stay in the leased territory and the laws in force in the leased territory. Article 3. Boundaries of the leased territory 1. The leased territory includes: (1) The track and the hydraulic and other installations of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal, the technological roads and the areas between the technological roads and the track of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal, including the land and adjacent waters; (2) The land situated between the road between the international vehicle crossing points Nuijamaa, Republic of Finland, and Brusnichnoe, Russian Federation, and the track of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal, including the road itself and the adjacent land required for the normal operation of the canal. The leased territory does not include the territory and adjacent waters at the crossing point of the State border of the Russian Federation on the Saimaa Canal, except for the track of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and the hydraulic installations required for the operation of the Saimaa Canal. 2. The boundaries of the leased territory are shown on the map attached to this Agreement, which constitutes an integral part thereof. 3. The boundaries of the leased territory shall be determined by the competent authorities of the Parties and marked on the ground with boundary lines and clearings in accordance with this Agreement and the map attached hereto. The Parties shall designate the competent authorities that shall draw up a protocol for the boundaries. 4. Representatives of the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties shall carry out an annual inspection of the boundary lines and clearings and, if necessary, a technical review of the boundary lines of the leased territory on the ground. Amendments to the boundaries of the leased territory on the ground may be made in the leased territory in accordance with the protocol referred to in paragraph 3 of this article. Article 4. Technical description of the buildings and installations in the leased territory A technical description of the buildings and installations in the leased territory shall be prepared by a joint commission formed by the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties following the entry into force of this Agreement. Article 5. General rights and duties of the Parties 1. The Russian Party shall: (1) Lease to the Finnish Party the territory referred to in articles 2 and 3 of this Agreement; (2) Ensure the maintenance, operation and management of, as well as pilotage and icebreaker support in, the canals and fairways that lead to the Gulf of Finland and are used for vessel traffic; (3) Ensure law and order in the leased territory; (4) Manage road traffic and monitor and supervise road traffic safety in the leased territory; (5) Maintain boundary lines and clearings; (6) Maintain the infrastructure facilities built by the Russian Party on the leased territory for purposes other than the operation of the Saimaa Canal, in accordance with the requirements of article 10, paragraph 4, of this Agreement. 2. The Russian Party may: (1) Carry out activities in the leased territory in accordance with this Agreement; (2) Receive the rental provided for in this Agreement; (3) Use the roads in the leased territory free of charge. 3. The Finnish Party shall: (1) Pay the Russian Party the rental provided for in this Agreement; (2) Operate the leased territory in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement; (3) Maintain the leased territory, including the technological roads and the buildings and installations situated therein, except for the infrastructure facilities referred to in paragraph 1 (6) of this article, in proper condition for normal operation, taking into account environmental safety requirements and the mineral resource management and environmental protection regulations provided for in international agreements to which the Parties are parties and by the laws of the Russian Federation, including the disposal of rubbish and construction waste generated by vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal and the operation of the leased territory; (4) Promptly notify the Russian Party of the discovery of valuable items of geological, palaeontological, archaeological and historical interest in the leased territory and take measures to preserve such items and transfer them to the Russian Party; (5) Not impede Russian citizens and legal entities in carrying out activities in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. 4. The Finnish Party may: (1) Use the leased territory in accordance with the objectives and conditions of this Agreement; (2) Construct on the leased territory, under the conditions of this Agreement, buildings and installations, including information and communications infrastructure necessary for the operation and maintenance of the leased territory and vessel traffic on the Saimaa Canal; (3) Carry out bottom cleaning and dredging works in the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal, and dispose of dredged subsoil at a location designated by the Russian Party in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation; (4) Carry out business activities in the leased territory to facilitate vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal and maintain the leased territory; (5) Lease part of the leased territory to citizens or legal entities of the Republic of Finland (sublease), and allow part of the leased territory to be used free of charge only with the consent of the Russian Party and for the sole purpose of achieving the objectives of this Agreement. The Finnish Party may not sublease the entire leased territory, pledge the leased rights or contribute them to the authorized capital stock of either Finnish or Russian organizations; (6) Supply electricity to the leased territory and sell it under relevant contracts. Chapter II. Conditions of vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal Article 6. General conditions of vessel traffic 1. Any type of vessel sailing under the State flag of the Russian Federation shall be granted unimpeded passage through the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal. 2. Vessels, except for the vessels referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, bound for or arriving from the territory of the Republic of Finland shall be granted passage through the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and the internal waters and territorial sea of the Russian Federation along the canals and fairways leading to the Gulf of Finland. Individuals, vehicles, goods, cargo and animals travelling through the Saimaa Canal to the territory of the Russian Federation or from the territory of the Russian Federation shall undergo border, customs and, as necessary, other forms of control at crossing points in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. 3. The Russian Party shall not require transit visas to be presented by citizens of the Republic of Finland or citizens of third countries travelling to (from) the Republic of Finland on sport or recreational vessels or as passengers on passenger vessels through the territory of the Russian Federation along the Saimaa Canal without stopping en route, or by citizens of the Republic of Finland or citizens of third countries travelling to (from) the Republic of Finland on sport or recreational vessels of no more than 24 m in length or with a displacement of no more than 30 tons through the territory of the Russian Federation along the Saimaa Canal. Sport or recreational vessels of no more than 24 m in length or with a displacement of no more than 30 tons transiting through the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal that, upon their entry into the Russian Federation, underwent border, customs or other types of control by the Russian Party in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation shall be allowed to stop at night or in adverse weather conditions. If citizens of the Republic of Finland or citizens of third countries travelling on such vessels come ashore, they shall be allowed to stay in the leased territory under the conditions established by the laws of the Russian Federation. Stopping points shall be determined by the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties in coordination with the border authorities of the Russian Party. 4. The following shall not be granted passage through the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and the internal waters and territorial sea of the Russian Federation along the canals and fairways leading to the Gulf of Finland: (1) Warships sailing under the flag of the Republic of Finland or third countries; (2) Vessels sailing under the flag of the Republic of Finland or third countries transporting military personnel, weapons, military equipment or military materials; (3) State vessels of third countries not engaged in trade or other commercial shipping, unless the Russian Party has issued a permit for passage under the conditions established by the laws of the Russian Federation. 5. The navigation period on the Saimaa Canal shall be determined each year by agreement between the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties. During the navigation period, the Saimaa Canal shall be open to shipping 24 hours a day. Article 7. Pilotage and icebreaker support 1. The Finnish Party shall provide pilotage, vessel traffic management, icebreaker support and assistance to vessels in ice conditions in the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal. 2. The Russian Party shall provide pilotage, vessel traffic management, icebreaker support and assistance to vessels in ice conditions in the canals and fairways leading to the Gulf of Finland. 3. Pilotage and icebreaker support and assistance provided to vessels in ice conditions shall be compensated in accordance with the laws of the State of the Party providing the pilotage or icebreaker support. Article 8. Tolls imposed on vessels 1. Tolls shall not be imposed on vessels travelling to (from) the Saimaa Canal to cover the costs of maintaining navigation equipment, including replacing it, managing vessel traffic on the canals and fairways leading to the Gulf of Finland or preserving the dimensions of the approach canal from Mariankivi to Brusnichnoe lock to ensure that it is fit for vessel traffic, except for the canal toll imposed by the Russian Party in the portion from Vikhrevoy Island to Mariankivi in the amount of 50 per cent of the rate of the canal toll imposed at the port of Vyborg per gross registered ton. 2. In order to cover the costs of maintaining the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal, the Finnish Party may, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 of this article, impose and collect tolls for the passage of vessels through the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal. Such tolls shall not be imposed on vessels sailing under the State flag of the Russian Federation that use only the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal. Article 9. Operation and maintenance of shipping canals and fairways 1. The Russian Party shall manage vessel traffic, maintain and replace navigation equipment on the canals and fairways leading to the Gulf of Finland and preserve the dimensions of the canals leading to the Gulf of Finland to ensure that they are fit for vessel traffic. 2. The Finnish Party shall manage vessel traffic, maintain and replace navigation equipment and preserve the dimensions of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal to ensure that it is fit for vessel traffic. Chapter III. Construction and environmental protection in the leased territory Article 10. Construction in the leased territory 1. To ensure the proper operation of the Saimaa Canal and facilitate vessel traffic through it, the Finnish Party may construct buildings, installations, roads and information and communication networks in the leased territory. Other activities related to construction and aimed at achieving the same objectives shall be carried out with the consent of the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties. 2. Construction resulting in changes to the terrain of the leased territory or the function of the land in the leased territory may commence only with the prior consent of the Plenipotentiary of the Russian Party. The Plenipotentiaries of the Parties shall provide each other with plans for such construction. 3. The Plenipotentiary of the Russian Party shall inform the Plenipotentiary of the Finnish Party of construction that may affect the use of the Saimaa Canal or the technological roads. In accordance with its laws, the Russian Party shall allow the Finnish Party to study the plans and schedules for such construction and to make proposals to improve them in order to achieve the objectives of this Agreement. 4. Construction carried out in the leased territory, and structures thereon or their use, shall not impede vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal. Article 11. Environmental protection 1. Activities carried out in the leased territory, including vessel traffic, motor transport, construction and other business operations, shall not cause damage to the environment in the leased territory. 2. Activities carried out in violation of paragraph 1 of this article may be suspended by the Plenipotentiary of the Russian Party until the violation is addressed. The Plenipotentiary of the Russian Party shall immediately notify the Plenipotentiary of the Finnish Party of such suspension. 3. Damage caused to the environment in the course of activities carried out in the leased territory shall be compensated in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation and the international agreements to which both Parties are parties. 4. The Finnish Party shall, at its own expense, address the impacts of activities carried out in the leased territory by its nationals and legal entities and by nationals and legal entities of third States that cause damage to the environment in the leased territory. Chapter IV. Procedure for issuing passes to and conditions of stay in the leased territory and customs procedures Article 12. Procedure for issuing passes for service personnel 1. When travelling to and from the leased territory, citizens of the Republic of Finland who are service personnel shall cross the Finnish-Russian State border at the crossing points for international road traffic and traffic on the Saimaa Canal using special passes issued by the Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation with the consent of the border authorities of the Russian Federation in response to a request submitted by the Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland with the consent of the border authorities of the Republic of Finland. The Russian Party shall not require citizens of the Republic of Finland who are service personnel to present visas when travelling to the leased territory. If urgent repair and restoration works have to be performed as a result of emergency situations in the leased territory of the Saimaa Canal, special passes may be issued to citizens of the Republic of Finland carrying out contractual work in response to such situations by the Border Commissioner of the Russian Federation, who is appointed in accordance with the international agreements on the Finnish-Russian State border controls in force between the Republic of Finland and the Russian Federation. The Border Commissioner of the Russian Federation shall inform the Plenipotentiary of the Russian Party of the issuance of such passes. 2. When travelling to or from the leased territory, citizens of third States who are service personnel shall cross the Finnish-Russian State border at established crossing points in accordance with the procedure provided for in the laws of the Russian Federation. 3. When travelling to or from the leased territory, citizens of the Republic of Finland who are service personnel shall be given priority access at vehicle crossing points, if possible using a specially designated traffic lane. Article 13. Conditions of stay of citizens of the Russian Federation in the leased territory Citizens of the Russian Federation may stay in the leased territory under the conditions established by the Russian Party. Article 14. Terms of exemption from customs payments 1. Goods transported along the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal from one part of the Republic of Finland to another, or from the Republic of Finland to third countries, or from third countries to the Republic of Finland, shall not be subject to customs payments. 2. Goods and vehicles imported by the Republic of Finland to the leased territory for the purposes of carrying out work under this Agreement or for the operation of the leased territory shall not be subject to customs payments. 3. The goods and vehicles referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article shall be subject to customs clearance and customs control in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation. 4. The customs authorities of the Parties shall exchange information on the movement of the goods referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article across the customs border of the Russian Federation in accordance with the procedure determined and agreed upon by them. Chapter V. General provisions Article15. Laws in force in the leased territory 1. The laws of the Russian Federation shall apply and the Russian authorities shall have jurisdiction in the leased territory, subject to the exceptions provided for in this Agreement, insofar as these exceptions shall not affect the interests of the Russian Federation and its sovereignty. 2. The Finnish Party shall have the right to regulate, in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Finland, the relations between: Citizens of the Republic of Finland, legal entities of the Republic of Finland, citizens of third States and legal entities of third States, and also between these persons and the authorities of the Finnish Party, in the areas of education, social security, health care, taxation, insurance, inheritance and labour, family and other civil relations; Citizens of the Republic of Finland, citizens of third States, legal entities of the Republic of Finland and legal entities of third States, and also between these persons and the authorities of the Finnish Party, in matters related to compensation for damage caused by vessel traffic on the Saimaa Canal. 3. Vessel traffic on the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of Finland on water transport. 4. The jurisdiction of the authorities and courts over the matters referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article shall be determined in accordance with the laws in force in the Republic of Finland. 5. If offences that do not affect the interests of the Russian Federation or its sovereignty are committed in the leased territory by citizens of the Republic of Finland against citizens or legal entities of the Republic of Finland, the competent authorities of the Russian Party shall refer cases involving the offences to the competent authorities of the Finnish Party for investigation in the Republic of Finland. If offences that do not affect the interests or sovereignty of the Russian Federation are committed in the leased territory by: Citizens of third States against citizens or legal entities of the Republic of Finland or against citizens or legal entities of third States; Citizens of the Republic of Finland against citizens or legal entities of third States; The competent authorities of the Russian Party may refer cases involving the offences to the competent authorities of the Finnish Party. Article 16. Introduction of restrictions 1. In order to safeguard the State security of the Russian Federation, the Russian Party may temporarily introduce special regulations in the area including the leased territory. Such regulations shall apply to all individuals and legal entities in the leased territory. 2. In order to protect the life and health of citizens of the Russian Federation, public order and State security, the Russian Party may refuse to admit individuals and vehicles to the leased territory and to limit the stay and activities of individuals and legal entities therein. 3. The Russian Party shall give the Finnish Party as much advance notice as possible of the introduction of the restrictions referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, taking into account the provisions of the agreements on crossing points concluded between the Republic of Finland and the Russian Federation. Chapter VI. Rental and payment procedure Article 17. Rental amount 1. Under the present Agreement, the Finnish Party shall pay the Russian Party an annual rental consisting of two parts: a fixed basic rent and a variable rent. 2. The amount of the fixed basic rent is 1,220,000 euros per year, payable by the Finnish Party regardless of the volume of vessel traffic on the Saimaa Canal. 3. The variable rent shall be payable by the Finnish Party when the total gross registered tonnage of vessels passing through the Saimaa Canal for navigation exceeds 1,500,000 gross registered tons. The amount of the variable rent shall be calculated by applying a rate of 0.18 euros per each ton over 1,500,000 gross registered tons. The gross registered tonnage of the vessels shall be determined using the tonnage certificates. 4. The total gross registered tonnage of the vessels passing through the Saimaa Canal for navigation shall be calculated in accordance with the procedure determined by the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties. 5. In order to ensure the effective operation of the Saimaa Canal, the Russian Party shall deduct from the rental the costs of: (1) Maintaining a special institution to ensure the fulfilment of duties by the Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation for the Saimaa Canal; (2) Ensuring law and order in the leased territory, managing road traffic and monitoring and overseeing road traffic safety in the leased territory; (3) Monitoring by State bodies of vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal at the crossing point at the State border of the Russian Federation on the Saimaa Canal; (4) Maintaining and servicing boundary lines and clearings; (5) Maintaining navigation equipment, including replacing it, and managing vessel traffic on the fairways and canals leading to the Gulf of Finland; (6) Preserving the dimensions of the approach canal from Mariankivi to Brusnichnoe lock to ensure that it is fit for vessel traffic; (7) Other costs associated with the operation of the leased territory. 6. The Finnish Party shall pay the rental in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of this article following the year-end process, but no later than 1 March of the year after the financial year-end. The procedure for transferring the rental shall be governed by the laws of the Russian Federation. 7. If necessary, but no more than once every 10 years, the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties shall assess whether the rental amount is sufficient for the Russian Party to cover the costs arising from the implementation of this Agreement, on the basis of the results of an analysis of the composition and amount of the costs of the Russian Party, vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal, the level of inflation and other factors. Chapter VII. Coöperation in the implementation of the Agreement Article 18 Administration of the Saimaa Canal 1. Each Party shall designate its own Plenipotentiary to investigate and settle all issues related to the implementation of this Agreement and vessel traffic through the Saimaa Canal. Unless otherwise provided for in this Agreement, decisions shall be taken by the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties by mutual agreement. 2. Each Party, in accordance with its own laws, shall establish a special institution to ensure the fulfilment by its Plenipotentiary of the duties provided for in this Agreement. 3. The operation and servicing of the Russian part of the Saimaa Canal and the adjacent territory shall be performed by the special institution of the Finnish Party. Article 19. Assessment of the effectiveness of the Agreement The Plenipotentiaries of the Parties shall, at least once a year, assess the effectiveness of the provisions of this Agreement. If circumstances arise that have or may have a negative impact on the fulfilment of this Agreement, the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties shall immediately take measures to address such circumstances. Chapter VIII. Concluding and transitional provisions Article 20. Entry into force and term of the Agreement 1. This Agreement is subject to ratification and shall enter into force 30 days from the date of exchange of the instruments of ratification. 2. Without prejudice to the provisions of article 24 hereof, this Agreement shall remain in force for 50 years from the date of its entry into force. Article 21. Amendments to the Agreement This Agreement may be amended by agreement between the Parties. Article 22. Settlement of disputes Disputes between the Parties regarding the interpretation and application of this Agreement shall be settled by the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties. Any disputes that cannot be settled by the Plenipotentiaries of the Parties shall be settled by a Mixed Commission, to which the Parties shall appoint two representatives from each Party. Any disputes that cannot be settled by the Mixed Commission shall be settled through negotiations between the Parties. Article 23. Denunciation Either Party may denounce this Agreement at any time and shall notify the other Party thereof in writing through the diplomatic channel. This Agreement shall terminate 12 months from the date of receipt by the other Party of such notification or at a later date referred to in the notification. Article 24. Actions to be taken upon expiry of the Agreement 1. Upon expiry of this Agreement or upon its termination in accordance with article 23 of this Agreement, the Finnish Party shall, within a period eight months, hand over to the Russian Party without compensation all buildings and installations in the leased territory in proper condition for normal operation. 2. The buildings and installations shall be handed over free of any payments, taxes or other servitudes or rights that, during the period of the lease, may have accrued to the Finnish Party, to citizens or legal entities of the Republic of Finland or to third countries or their nationals or legal entities. Article 25. Expiry of agreements From the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the following agreements and treaties shall expire: (1) Agreement 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 of 27 September 1962; (2) Protocol of 11 August 1964 to the Agreement 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 of 27 September 1962; (3) Exchange of letters of 17 December 1965 constituting an agreement between the Republic of Finland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the upkeep, maintenance and restoration of the boundary lines established to designate the boundaries of the Soviet part of the Saimaa Canal and Maly Vysotsky Island, leased to the Republic of Finland by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; (4) Protocol on the use of the longitudinal pilot fairway from Mayachny Island to the Finnish-Soviet State border for the towage of timber rafts and the passage of Finnish tugboats of 26 April 1969; (5) Exchange of letters of 10 July 1985 constituting an agreement concerning the allocation of additional space for Finnish timber rafts and tugboats to stop during stormy weather in Soviet internal waters near Vikhrevoy island in Vyborg Bay on the approaches to the Saimaa Canal; (7) Protocol of 10 June 1994 between the Government of the Republic of Finland and the Government of the Russian Federation concerning amendments to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Finland and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning passenger traffic on the territory of the Saimaa Canal and in the territory leased by the Republic of Finland from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as far as Vyborg or in transit to the open seas of 15 October 1990; (8) Exchange of notes constituting a protocol between the Government of the Republic of Finland and the Government of the Russian Federation concerning the access of service personnel of the Saimaa Canal to the part of the road between the international vehicle crossing point Brusnichnoe and the new international vehicle crossing point Nuijamaa and traffic thereon of 1 December 2006. Article 26. Validity of permit documents Passes and other permits required to enter and exit the leased territory, or to stay and work therein, that were issued before the entry into force of this Agreement to Finnish and Russian citizens and legal entities by the Plenipotentiaries or the competent authorities of the Parties shall remain valid and give the right to enter and exit the leased territory, or to stay and work therein, for the duration of the period of their validity, but not more than six months from the entry into force of this Agreement. In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized, have signed this Treaty. Done at Lappeenranta on 27 May 2010 in two copies, each in the Finnish and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic. For the Republic of Finland: For the Russian Federation: |