Russia’s Minister of Communications and Mass Media Nikolai Nikiforov has met with Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed Russian-Estonian cooperation in information and communication technology. A memorandum was signed on reducing roaming rates in the two countries.
The memorandum was signed by Russia’s Ministry of Communications and Mass Media and Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, as well as by Russian communications operators, including Rostelecom, MTS, VimpelCom and MegaFon. The text of the memorandum will also be signed soon by Estonian operators AS EMT, Elisa Eesti AS and Tele2 Eesti Aktsiaselts.
The document notes that international roaming rates are a serious concern for the two countries, whose priority is protecting citizens’ rights. In this regard the parties said they are ready and willing to make every effort to reduce rates and maintain dialogue between Russia and the European Commission on this issue.
Representatives of the Russian and Estonian operators in turn agreed to take the following steps: reduce roaming rates between Russia and Estonia, continue talks on bilateral agreements approving new rates, complete them within six months of the signing of the memorandum, and inform their regulating agencies of the results of the talks.
Russia’s Ministry of Communications and Mass Media and Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications will support talks between other Russian and Estonian operators on similar agreements.
Source: Ministry of Communications