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Frontier Cooperation of the Russian Federation and the European Union IInd annual international conference started working in Petrozavodsk on September 28. Plenipotentiary of the President of Russia in Northwest Federal District Ilya Klebanov, Head of Karelia Sergey Katanandov, Deputy Minister of Regional Development of Russia Mikhail Ponomarev and other officials have taken part in the conference opening. In total to conference there have come more than 60 participants representing Russian bodies of the government, structures of the European Union, frontier regions of the Northwest and adjacent states.
Speaking at the conference opening, Ilya Klebanov has told that frontier cooperation is an additional competitive advantage to the Northwest Federal District. To use their unique geopolitic position to the full, regions of the NWFD have to speed up development of transport, power and tourist infrastructures.
In November, 2005 at support of the machinery of Plenipotentiary of the President of Russia in the NWFD the first round table Frontier Cooperation of the Russian Federation and the European Union has been held. Lately it became possible to see fulfilled a great number of recommendations stated by its participants. In particular, a bill On Frontier Cooperation was introduced in the State Duma of Russia, and in Ilya Klebanov's opinion, will be passed already this year. Also the project of regulations of interdepartmental governmental commission on frontier cooperation is prepared. Acceptance of these documents will lay the foundation of good base for effective implementation of the new program European Instrument of Neighbourhood and Partnership in 2007-2013.
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In his greeting Sergey Katanandov has stopped on results of frontier cooperation of Karelia with the nearby states of the EU. In the last 5 years the republic has increased the foreign trade turnover with Finland by more than 70%, investments into economy of Karelia have grown a few times. Owing to implementation of joint projects with northern countries the republic has considerably reduced export of round timber. Today jointly with European companies in the region there are abuilding and operating enterprises producing furniture and electrotechnical equipment for cars, developing information technologies in common, developing cities and settlements. Karelia and Finland pay special attention to development of transport infrastructure. Thus, solemn opening of the international automobile check point Suoperä is expected within the next few days takes place in the most northern (Louhi) district of the republic.
At the conference opening and at the first plenary session there have also spoke acting as constant representative of the Program of Development of the United Nations in Russia Ms.Immonen, director of the Information Bureau of the Nordic Council of Ministers in St.-Petersburg Mr.Hanhijarvi, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Russia Mr.Franko and others.
Within the scope of the conference which will last for two days, its participants will discuss various aspects of frontier cooperation, consider prospects of cooperation of separate regions and adjacent states, will hold a number of round table discussions.
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