The visit was timed to the bicentenary of proclaiming Helsinki the capital of Finland.
The visit was timed to the bicentenary of proclaiming Helsinki the capital of Finland.
The central event of the visit was the speech of St.Petersburg Governor at a seminar at the Palace “Finland”, devoted to the memorable date. Except for G.S.Poltavchenko, the speeches were also made by Sauli Niiniste, President of Finland, Jussi Pajunen, Mayor of Helsinki, Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm, Aleksi Randell, Mayor of Turku.
The guests of the event were the members of State Council and Finnish Parliament, diplomats, scientists, cultural workers and artists, entrepreneurs, representatives of public organizations and mass media. Georgiy Poltavchenko congratulated the participants and all the inhabitants of the city and referrred to the important historical stages of proclaiming Helsinki the capital of Finland.
The governor said that St.Petersburg and Helsinki are now cooperating in many areas, including the areas of ecology, transport, education, and innovation.
During the visit, St.Petersburg Governor met with Sauli Niiniste, President of Finland. Georgiy Poltavchenko mentioned ever-friendly and efficient economic relations between the countries.
As per the results of 2011, Finland is among the top five trading partners of our city. The governor praised the collaboration with Finland in the framework of the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation of neighbouring regions, programs of neighbourhood and partnerships.
During the meeting, G.S.Poltavchenko expressed the concern of the Russian side on the issue of changing the order of border control for Russian citizens – passengers of the ferry, following from St.Petersburg via the route bound for several States of the Schengen Area. Whereas previously the border control was practised only on entering and leaving the Schengen Area, now the Russians have to be monitored at each point along the route of the ferry.
According to St.Petersburg Governor, this could lead to a decrease in tourism activity. To further develop the cooperation in this area, the practice of border control should be reviewed. President of Finland promised G.S.Poltavchenko to address the European colleagues to once again define the issue of border control by Russian citizens – ferry passengers.
During the visit, the Governor met with Jussi Pajunen, Mayor of Helsinki. Georgiy Poltavchenko thanked his colleague for the invitation to take part in commemorative events. He noted that the long-standing friendship and partnership between St.Petersburg and Helsinki are developing and growing stronger today.
During the meeting, an agreement was reached on joint preparation of the Days of St.Petersburg in Helsinki in 2013, devoted to the 20th anniversary of partnership between St.Petersburg and Helsinki. This year completes the three-year action plan between St.Petersburg and Helsinki. The governor said that St.Petersburg is preparing a proposal for a new joint plan.
A meeting of Georgiy Poltavchenko with Aleksi Randell, Mayor of Turku, also took place. During the conversation, St.Petersburg Governor said that the next year wouldl mark an important date – the 60th anniversary of establishing the twin-city relations between St.Petersburg and Turku. In this vein, the sides discussed the details of the Days of St.Petersburg to Turku in 2013.
St.Petersburg Governor noted that the Program of Trade, Economy, Scientific, Engineering, and Humanitarian Cooperation between the Government of St.Petersburg and the City of Turku fof 2008–2011 was successfully implemented. Georgiy Poltavchenko and Aleksi Randell signed a protocol resulting from the negotiations and providing for an action plan for cooperation between St.Petersburg Government and the City of Turku for 2012–2014. This document will reflect such important areas of bilateral cooperation as economy, transport and logistics, environmental protection, and culture.
Georgiy Poltavchenko attended a meeting of the Group of Finland Advisors at the Government of St.Petersburg, which was attended by Mr. I.Herlin, Chairman of the Group, and Mr. A.Blum, its Coordinator, as well as the representatives of companies “Fazer” and “Lemminäinen”. The meeting discussed a wide range of prospects for interaction of the Group of Finland Advisors and St.Petersburg Government, promoting the Finnish businesses in our city, particularly in the construction industry, where “Lemminkäinen” had plans to increase the share of international activities in the company’s turnover up to 40%.
During the visit, St.Petersburg Governor visited the head office and factory of “Fazer”.
Information Source: St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations