On 27 September Kotka Day that has already become traditional was held in St. Petersburg. Mayor of the Finnish partner-city Esa Sirviö visited the northern capital to participate in the events.
Signing of the Road Map on cooperation for three years was the highlight of the program of the events. The document identified 6 priority directions including education, tourism, culture, innovation, start-up industry, sports and others. More than 250 organizations and companies from both sides of the border were reported to be involved in the implementation of the Agreement.
Projects within the cross-border cooperation program Russia - South-Eastern Finland 2014-2020 will serve as the concrete tool of implementing the Agreement. These projects include developing ecosystem to support start-ups, cycling tourism, breakthrough technology of the future, collaboration of college campuses, etc.
Intentions of the Parties to develop cooperation in see passenger service between the cities were expressed as a separate item of the Agreement. Following the meeting with the management of the Passenger Port of St. Petersburg, the Director of the Port of HaminaKotka reaffirmed the intention of the Parties to make every effort for the development of cruise and regular maritime service.
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences conducted a “Learning without Frontiers” seminar devoted to distance-learning within the Kotka Day in St. Petersburg that involved participation of St. Petersburg leading universities.
Kymenlaakso Vocational College is developing student exchange, internships and joint training programs with St. Petersburg colleges. A new direction is attracting children and teenagers to new technology jointly with the newly opened St. Petersburg Digital Technology Academy as well as participation in the competition of professionals World Skills.
Cooperation in social work and healthcare is continued between the Kakspy Association and St. Petersburg health institutions.
St. Petersburg travel companies were introduced to the tourist opportunities of Kotka-Hamina region within the Kotka Day and attended a unique multimedia presentation at the Lumier Hall creative space.
In addition, a number of new interesting projects were announced including joint concerts of the Academic Philharmonic Orchestra of St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic Society and Kymi Symphonic Orchestra as well as Kotka Wooden Boat International Fair in June 2019.