OREANDA-NEWS. On 06 May 2009 was announced, that in Moscow Head of the Republic of Karelia Sergey Katanandov has taken part in the session of the Commission of the Government of Moscow on development and coordination of inter-regional cooperation. The session was held on the subject of The course of performance of the Protocol on joint actions for 2008-2011 on realization of the Agreement between the Government of Moscow and the Government of the Republic of Karelia on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation of December 14, 2007 in 2008.

Cooperation between Karelia and the Government of Moscow has more than a ten-year history. Sergey Katanandov always responds about this partnership with gratitude. As it was the Government of Moscow that in the hard tomes of the 1990s "has lend the shoulder" to the Karelian economy, helped us to revive the whole branches of economy — such as stone-working, road-metal production. Today in teamwork there are dozens of joint projects in such basic spheres, as pulp-and-paper production, building, tourism, small business, medicine, education, culture, etc. Work is conducted within the scope of the Agreement concluded in 2007, and every year this cooperation is summed up and new tasks are set.

The city of Moscow is the largest consumer of production of the Karelian manufacturers. On its share there falls more than 20% of all production exported from Karelia to other regions of Russia. Total amount of commodity circulation between Moscow and the Republic of Karelia, on preliminary data, in 2008 has made about 4 billion roubles.

Participants of the session have in detail considered all results of teamwork and have discussed its further prospects under conditions of the crisis. In 2008, despite of the crisis, it was possible to fulfill all plans in full. Perhaps, in 2009 it will be necessary to postpone some of earlier conceived investment projects until better times. However, the session as a whole has passed and ended on the optimistic note. Making comments on its results, Sergey Katanandov has told, that work will proceed in all directions launched. In particular, participation of the Government of Moscow in implementation of the investment project of reconstruction and modernization of the airport of Petrozavodsk was discussed actively. Because of lack of financing in 2008 the Government of Moscow could not allocate funds (240 million rbl.) to redeem the property complex of Petrozavodsk Airport Joint-Stock Company. The Republic of Karelia is veru much interested in participation of the Government of Moscow in this project that will sharply raise tourist prospects and business-rating of Karelia. In August, 2009 it is planned to hold Days of the Republic of Karelia in Moscow. Lots of teamwork is expected to make this action interesting and significant for both parties.

The Deputy Mayor of Moscow S.Baidakov who co-chaired the session adheres to the same optimistic view on prospects of the teamwork.