The neighbors

DIALOGUE WITH AN OPTIMIST:
"A PLACE WHERE YOU FEEL AT EASE",

- Nataly Grigorieva thinks

        Nataly Grigorieva of the Department for Foreign Economic Collaboration, knows Finland well and greatly admires Russia's northern neighbor.
        - You have cooperated with Finland at the intergovernmental level for a long time. Please tell us about the nature of your work.
         - Certainly. Russian-Finnish relations are regulated by special acts. The agreement of regional cooperation is among the basic documents. Russia never signed such agreements before. This document was signed in 1992, when it was necessary to establish new links after the destruction of the former clearing relations. This agreement is still very important, particularly as it includes practically all economic fields, from environmental protection and telecommunications to the development of regional self-administration.
        - Is it the only important document?
        - No, there are many other agreements and protocols. Among them there are the documents for consolidation of relations between our cities, for example between St. Petersburg and Mikkele, Lappenranta, Imatra, Tampere, and the sister-city of Turku. Such contacts are very important because they provide an opportunity to get to know the life of both countries much better. Many people remember the Finnish Festival held last summer in Palace Square. This year the Days of St. Petersburg will take place in Helsinki. Besides, the Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce actively works in our city, and there is also a group of Finnish advisers including representatives of influential Finnish business circles who work together with the St. Petersburg administration to promote a favorable investment climate and economic collaboration.