The delegation of Vilnius, led by Arturas Zuokas, the Mayor, represented over 50 Lithuanian companies and prominent figures of culture and the mainstream mass-media of Lithuania.
The delegation of Vilnius, led by Arturas Zuokas, the Mayor, represented over 50 Lithuanian companies and prominent figures of culture and the mainstream mass-media of Lithuania.
G.S. Poltavchenko, St.Petersburg Governor, held a business meeting with A.Zuokas, Mayor of Vilnius, during which the parties noted the great potential of cooperation in education, culture, and economy. In particular, the establishment of a trade center was considered, the representative offices of which would work both in St.Petersburg and Vilnius. One of the areas of its activity would be increasing the supply of food produced in Lithuania to to St.Petersburg. “Quality products from the Baltic states and Lithuania were always appreciated in St.Petersburg”, said the Governor. The trade turnover between St.Petersburg and Vilnius amounted to RUR 499.2 million last year, 2.7 times greater than in 2010. During the Days, a business forum was run, which attracted great attention of St.Petersburg business people.
The governor stressed that St.Petersburg and Vilnius were the nearest neighbors tied with an old friendship. Cooperation Agreement between the Government of St.Petersburg and Vilnius Municipality was signed in 2006, and it gave a new impetus to economic and cultural relations between the Lithuanian capital and the city on the Neva River. Days of Culture, which take place alternately in the cities, became an important event in the life of the citizens. During the Days of Vilnius, an exhibition of pre-war photos of “Vilnius Elegies” was opened, a jazz quartet concert performed, an art exhibition in the Marble Palace deployed, the movies by Jonas Mekas shown, and a concert of outstanding pianist Petras Geniušas performed accompanied by the Vilnius State Quartet. On May 18 through 20 May, the Lithuanian folk craftspeople and master chefs offered the traditional cuisine and handicrafts of Lithuania.
Arranging the regular air route between Vilnius and St.Petersburg gives our cities an opportunity to expand tourism exchanges. According to the Governor, there is great potential for the well-known Lithuanian resorts, holiday at which enjoyed the great popularity among the inhabitants of the northern capital.
Georgiy Poltavchenko supported the proposal of Arturas Zuokas on cooperation in the area of historical heritage preservation. Petersburg and Vilnius are the recognized centers of European culture, in which many objects are under protection of UNESCO. Problems of preservation of the historic center of St.Petersburg will be discussed at the 36th session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be held in St.Petersburg in June, while Georgiy Poltavchenko has proposed to hold a meeting in August-September for St.Petersburg and Vilnius experts devoted to the protection of monuments.
Arturas Zuokas, Mayor of Vilnius, gave an interview at a radio station “Echo of Petersburg”, and took part in the “St.Petersburg TV” on Channel Five.