Finland steps up involvement in international events in Russia

Russian Presidential Advisor Anton Kobyakov and Finnish Ambassador to Russia Mikko Hautala held a meeting in Moscow at which they discussed practical steps for a Finnish delegation to take part in events at the upcoming fourth International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk (March 29–30, 2017) as well as the twenty-first St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (Jun 1–3, 2017).

“Finland is a long-time, important and reliable partner of Russia. Relations between our countries are distinguished by several decades of friendship, good neighbourliness, and mutually beneficial cooperation”, Kobyakov said.

The meeting primarily focused on Finnish President Sauli Niinistö’s planned participation in events of the fourth International Arctic Forum. Cooperation on matters concerning the development of the Arctic and its natural resources is one of the most important areas of cooperation between the two countries. Several issues related to this theme will be a topic of discussion at key sessions of the Arctic forum.

Kobyakov also expressed hope that Finland will be well represented at the twenty-first St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, both at the level of the country’s government officials as well as business circles. He noted that traditionally Finnish companies are actively involved in SPIEF. Forum officials are considering the possibility of holding events concerning bilateral cooperation and the global agenda involving representatives of Finnish business.

The parties discussed the possibility of signing a memorandum of mutual understanding between the Roscongress Foundation and Finland’s leading business association – the East Office of Finnish Industries – at SPIEF 2017 in order to strengthen and develop partnership relations between the two organizations.

Kobyakov also invited his Finnish partners to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok (September 6–7, 2017) and the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi (February 2018).