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In those circumstances the Korkein oikeus (Supreme Court) decided to stay the proceedings and to refer to the Court the following questions for a preliminary ruling: ‘(1) Is the expression “coastline or related interests” in Article 220(6) of [the Montego Bay Convention] and the expression “coastline or related interests” in Article 7(2) of Directive [2005/35] to be interpreted by reference to the definition of the expression “coastline or related interests” contained in Article II(4) of the [Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas 1969]? (2) In accordance with the definition contained in Article II(4)(c) of the [Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas 1969] referred to in Question 1, “related interests” means, inter alia, the well-being of the area concerned, including conservation of living marine resources and of wildlife. Does that provision also apply to the conservation of living resources and wildlife in the [EEZ], or is that provision of the convention concerned only with conservation of the interests of the coastal area? (3) If Question 1 is answered in the negative, what meaning is to be ascribed to the expression “coastline or related interests” in Article 220(6) of [the Montego Bay Convention] and the expression “coastline or related interests” in Article 7(2) of Directive [2005/35]? (4) What meaning is to be ascribed to the expression “resources of its territorial sea or [EEZ]” as it is used in Article 220(6) of [the Montego Bay Convention] and Article 7(2) of Directive [2005/35]? Are living resources to be taken to mean only exploitable species or does that term also include species associated with or dependent upon exploitable species within the meaning of Article 61(4) of the [the Montego Bay Convention], such as, for example, species of flora and fauna which are used by exploitable species as food? (5) What definition is to be adopted of the expression “causing [a] threat” in Article 220(6) of [the Montego Bay Convention] and Article 7(2) of Directive [2005/35]? Is the threat of damage being caused to be determined by reference to the concept of abstract or specific risk or in some other way? (6) In the assessment of the conditions governing the exercise of power by the coastal State, laid down in Article 220(6) of [the Montego Bay Convention] and Article 7(2) of Directive [2005/35], must it be assumed that major damage or the threat of major damage is a more serious consequence than significant pollution of the marine environment or the threat of such pollution within the meaning of Article 220(5) of [the Montego Bay Convention]? What definition is to be adopted of “significant pollution of the marine environment” and how is account to be taken of such pollution in the assessment of major damage or the threat of major damage? (7) What factors are to be taken into account in the assessment of whether damage or the threat of damage is major? Is account to be taken, for example, of the duration and geographical extent of the adverse effects that manifest themselves as damage? If so, how are the duration and the extent of the damage to be assessed? (8) Directive [2005/35] is a directive laying down minimum standards and does not prevent Member States from taking more stringent measures against ship-source pollution in conformity with international law (Article [1(2)]). Does the possibility of applying more stringent rules apply to Article 7(2) of that directive, which governs the power of the coastal State to take action against a vessel in transit? (9) May any account be taken of the specific geographical and ecological characteristics and sensitivity of the Baltic Sea area in the assessment of the conditions governing the exercise of power by the coastal State which are laid down in Article 220(6) of [the Montego Bay Convention] and Article 7(2) of Directive 2005/35? (10) Does “clear objective evidence” within the meaning of Article 220(6) of [the Montego Bay Convention] and Article 7(2) of Directive [2005/35] include not only evidence that a vessel has committed the infringements to which the aforementioned provisions refer but also evidence of the consequences of the spill? What form of evidence is to be required to show that there is a threat of major damage to the coastline or related interests or to any resources of its territorial sea or of the [EEZ], such as the bird and fish stocks and the marine environment in the area? Does the requirement of clear objective evidence mean, for example, that the assessment of the adverse effects of the oil spillage on the marine environment must always be based on specific surveys and studies relating to the impact of the oil spill that has occurred?’