OREANDA-NEWS. May 22, 2012. Vladimir Putin sent greetings to participants and guests at the 4th Congress of Sister Cities of Russia and Finland.

The telegram reads, in part:

“Friendly ties between the regions of our nations play an important role in developing good neighbourly relations between Russia and Finland. Thanks to this close cooperation at various levels, we are successfully implementing joint projects in the socio-economic, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian sectors.

I am certain that by strengthening contacts between sister cities, we are forming a strong foundation for further bringing our peoples together and promoting fruitful dialogue between them.

I am confident that your meeting will help broaden interregional cooperation and contribute to the emergence of new, promising initiatives that serve the interests of the public and generally help to strengthen Russian-Finnish relations for the good of the two nations’ people.”

The Congress is being held on May 22–24 in St Petersburg.