OREANDA-NEWS. A conference devoted to development of transport infrastructure of the republic with frontier territories took place in the Ministry of Economic Development of the republic.

Main traffic arteries connecting industrially-developed regions of Russia with nonfreezing northern port of Murmansk and with countries of Europe through Finland intersect Karelia.

Most of the transport services account for railway and motor transport, the minor part accounts for water and air transport.

Participants of the conference have pointed out that development of tourist potential of the republic directly depends on how fast and convenient it is possible to reach Karelian sights. Speaking of the tourist traffic from Finland which grows every year, there is no doubt, that their priority is convenience and travel costs.

At the end of 2012 the first test train went from Petrozavodsk to Joensuu. Work on increase of popularity of this destination is conducted. The second journey is scheduled for the next month. The issue of organization of bus service between Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, and Helsinki is studied.

Within the scope of development of regional air transportation in Karelia, to satisfy the needs of inhabitants of the republic and business community of the neighbouring territories the Government of the republic is searching for the air carrier ready to perform regular flights on the route from Petrozavodsk to Helsinki.

As it was mentioned at the conference, negotiations with the basic air carriers of Russia took place, opportunities of involving a foreign company were considered. The issue of possible financial support and partial reimbursement of expenses incurred to carriers which perform the flights was considered.

Within the framework of the federal target program Development of the Transport System of Russia (2010-2015) work is conducted on reconstruction of engineering structures of Petrozavodsk airport, its technical renovation, maintenance of requirements of aviation safety, improvement of the quality of rendered services and increase in throughput.