Matti Vanhanen (centre), the Finnish prime minister, pledged Monday that his government would redouble efforts to clean up the Baltic Sea.
Finland is to play host to a Baltic Sea summit on Wednesday.

Mr Vanhanen said in the commitment, one of 140 made by the Baltic Sea region's politicians ahead of the Helsinki summit, that Finland would strive to become an example in the recycling of nutrients.

The prime minister went on to list a number of measures to reduce the Baltic Sea's nutrient load.

Tarja Halonen, the Finnish president, said in a statement she backed Mr Vanhanen's commitments and added that they showed that the government was strongly committed to take action for a healthier Baltic Sea.

The president also proposed an annual Baltic Sea day to raise awareness and to "strengthen our commitments".

STT