Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said that establishing a contiguous zone would make it possible to monitor compliance with Estonian legislation within up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline of Estonia’s territorial sea, and therefore contributes to security, environmental protection, and the protection of archaeologically or historically valuable items found in the sea.
A coastal state may conduct necessary checks in the contiguous zone to prevent breaches of customs, tax, migration or sanitary legislation on its territory or territorial sea, and hold infringers accountable. The inspection power does not extend to foreign warships and foreign non-commercial vessels.
“I consider this decision an important step for reinforcing Estonia’s security because this way, we would have a better overview of what is happening in our coastal region,” Reinsalu said. “This extension of inspections will definitely have a positive effect on the protection of the environment.”
Establishing the contiguous zone would not affect Estonia’s maritime border.
