Stepping into the XXI century

Finland Supports St. Petersburg's Strivings to be a Gateway between the EU and Russia

Stepping into the XXI Century…A View from Helsinki
Mr. Paavo Lipponen,
Prime Minister of Finland

        - The Northern Dimension (ND) program offered by Finland is highly appreciated in Russia. It is considered to be an important factor for the consolidation of Russia and the European Union. But the promotion of high-tech industries, East-West motorways, and tourism received less attention in the elaboration of the Northern Dimension concept. This question was raised in St. Petersburg. What is your opinion?
         - Finland emphasises the need to integrate Northern European transport systems into Pan-European transport corridors. The development of Pan-European transport corridors by preparing development programmes and project-level cooperation for the corridors is included in the Presidency's Work Plan on the Implementation of the Common Strategy on Russia. Finland is interested in supporting, among others, the development of the Helsinki-Petersburg-Moscow corridor. East-West roads between Russia and the Baltic states should also be seen as priority projects within the Northern Dimension.
        The promotion of high-tech industries is connected with overall preconditions for investment in Russia, that are emphasized in the Northern Dimension. The role of the public sector in promoting technology transfer is mainly confined to creating a favorable investment climate as well as modern communications infrastructure networks. It is the private sector that holds an ultimate key to success. Research and development are among the priorities of the Northern Dimension. In the first place, however, high-tech cooperation should be developed within the PCA *
framework.
        Tourism has so far received less attention in elaboration of the ND concept, but Finland has noted the initiatives of certain Russian regions to raise the issue.
        - What do you think of the possibility of wider use of St. Petersburg as a gateway between the EU and Russia?
         - The geographical location of St. Petersburg creates natural preconditions for the city to act as the EU's window to Russia. St. Petersburg is the only major economic hub in Russia that is situated near the EU border. Finland encourages St. Petersburg's eventual ambitions to shape its profile as a gateway between the EU and Russia.
        - How do you evaluate the role of St. Petersburg as a link between the Russian regions, the suppliers of raw materials, and Nordic countries ready to build joint enterprises in our city?
        - The future economic and industrial potential of St. Petersburg is great thanks to the high intellectual potential in the area. St. Petersburg has always been known for it high level of education and culture and I believe that human resources will be a decisive factor in its future economic growth and welfare.
        The geographic location of St. Petersburg is also a highly beneficial factor for economic progress. Preconditions exist for the city to become a real international transport and trade center in the Baltic region. There is solid interest in the Nordic countries for trade with and investment in the region, even if the present economic situation is not very favorable and Russian legislation concerning trade and economic cooperation still needs development.
        - What do you think of Finnish-Russian cooperation within the framework of a bilateral agreement between the adjacent border areas? Is it important for the development of these relations?
        - Finnish-Russian cooperation in the adjacent border areas is well established - it is being carried out within the framework of a bilateral agreement concluded as early as 1992. During these years we have created active cooperative relations and achieved good results in many fields. At this moment there are 180 projects being implemented in Russia that are financed by the Finnish government.
        St. Petersburg has grown in importance as a recipient of Finnish technical aid. Through effective action that is based on mutual commitment this cooperation promotes the market economy, improvements in the social sector, and the reduction of environmental risks. As such, it is an important and prominent part of relations between Finland and Russia and serves the interest of the Russian and Finnish regions.
        In St. Petersburg we can also see good examples of international cooperation through international financing institutions. Finland has been active in the development of St. Petersburg's water supply and wastewater disposal systems together with Vodokanal and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Altogether Finland has allocated more than 60 million Finnish marks on environmental projects in St. Petersburg during this decade.