VLADIMIR YAKOVLEV, Governor of St. Petersburg

OOur century is nearly over and Russia is once again facing dramatic changes. The political, economic and social transformations that this country is undergoing are no doubt influencing every individual project, plan or idea in one way or another. One must not neglect this fact while completing the enormous amount of work required to pull the St. Petersburg economy out of its state of crisis and to create a firm foundation for its future development.

The possibility to transform St. Petersburg into a major international transportation junction is grounded in the geopolitical situation of the city itself and is based on Russia’s connections with European countries, connections that have been expanding in recent years. On the other hand, the interest of foreign entrepreneurs in the scientific and technical potential of St. Petersburg and in its historical and cultural importance is very closely related to the efforts being undertaken by the city’s administration to create a favorable investment climate, open policies, and to attract other entities of the Russian Federation into a new form of international collaboration.

At the same time, one must not forget that our city, together with Leningrad Region, constitutes an integral part of the environmental system of the Baltic Sea and that the powerful industry and vast resources of our region have a considerable effect on the environment. Many federal and regional programmes operating in this direction, are linked to international agreements and protocols.

There is also a multitude of other factors forcing us to elaborate and implement our plans on a much larger scale than that of our Region, finding new solutions for various legal, social, demographic and other problems. That is why the project of turning St. Petersburg into the European gateway of Russia must be regarded not only as a good means to increase transport flows through the Russian coastline of the Baltic Sea but also as a dramatic turn in the development of a large region. The realization of this project will make for united and coordinated efforts of Russian authorities, Federal entities and business circles.

This may be applied first of all to the Greater St. Petersburg Seaport. We acknowledge its broad perspectives. It requires transformations that will allow it to solve our foreign economic problems on a much larger scale, pursuing the interests of Russia as a whole.

The same may be said about most transportation projects being implemented in the St. Petersburg area. They are of primary importance for the development of such a key project for international transit trade as the 9th Transport Corridor.

Detailed descriptions of such projects, published in this issue, provide a picture of the transport transformations taking place in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region, of the great work that has already been begun. This makes it possible to envision the outline of the future to which St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region are advancing together, having already taken the first steps.

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