Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, 1992, entered into force on 17 January 2000. The States-Parties to the Convention agreed individually or jointly to take all appropriate legislative, administrative or other relevant measures to prevent and eliminate pollution in order to promote the ecological restoration of the Baltic Sea Area and the preservation of its ecological balance. The Parties undertake to apply: The aim of the States-Parties to the Convention is to prevent and eliminate pollution of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea
Economy of Latvia transition period. Latvia and the United States have signed treaties on investment, trade, and intellectual property protection and avoidance of double taxation. Average wages are higher in Riga and its surroundings and in Ventspils and its surroundings, with inland border regions lagging behind, With Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia, Latvia is considering participating in the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania to replace the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Latvia imports 100% of its natural gas from Russia. Household income or consumption by percentage share: <br>"lowest 10%:" 2.9% <br>"highest 10%:" 25.9% (1998) Industries: synthetic fibres, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed