International workshop conference Russia and Finland in a Multipolar World is held in Petrozavodsk

In 2009 it turns 200 years since Finland was merged in the Russian Empire as the independent Grand Duchy of Finland. Processes of formation of the Finnish statehood and national consciousness are associated with this event.

The international workshop conference Russia and Finland in a Multipolar World: Years 1809-2009 devoted to this memorable date opened in Petrozavodsk State University on October 20. The conference is held under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Karelia, the Council of State of Finland, the Russian Humanitarian Science Foundation and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

On Tuesday morning the conference that has gathered leading scientists from Russia and Finland who study history of mutual relations of two states was opened by the President of Petrozavodsk State University Victor Vasiliev, Secretary of State of the Republic of Finland Risto Volanen, Assistant Assistant to the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Karelia Alexander Kolesov, Deputy Chairlady of the Commission on Preservation of Cultural and Spiritual Heritage of the Public Chamber of Russia Elena Zelinskaya, Rector of Petrozavodsk State University Anatoly Voronin and Governor of Oulu Eino Siuruainen.

Alexander Kolesov welcomed participants on behalf of the Head of Karelia Sergey Katanandov. "We regard the fact that the conference takes place in Petrozavodsk as a recognition of contribution of the republic and its scientific community in development of cooperation between our countries, – he said.– Finland is our closest neighbour and Karelia's economic and trade partner. In the past 17 years in the republic it has been implemented more than three hundred projects of cross-border cooperation in the field of agriculture and forestry, public health services and social security, development of the border and customs infrastructure, cooperation between the rescue and fire emergency services, housing and communal services, science and culture. Studying of cooperation experience of Russia and Finland, joint scientific research in this area can form a basis for further mutually advantageous relations in the future."

Director of the Second European department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Pavel Kuznetsov has also taken part in the conference opening having greeted its participants on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov.

The two-day forum considers a wide range of questions related to national and state development of Finland, contacts between the two neighbouring nations, preservation of historical and cultural heritage in the adjoining territories. Papers are presented by politicians, representatives of public organizations, leading scientists from universities and research centers of Russia, Finland and Sweden.