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Moscow, Kaluga sign protocol of intent on cooperation

Sergei Sobyanin said that the Kauga Region had always been a partner in these spheres, but now it has become Moscow's neighbour

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, November 26 (Itar-Tass) — The governments of Moscow and the Kaluga Region signed a protocol of intent in the spheres of trade, economic, scidntific, technical and cultural cooperation. The signing ceremony was held at the Moscow City Hall on Saturday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that the Kauga Region had always been a partner in these spheres, but now it has become Moscow's neighbour.

"The borders of Moscow and the Kaluga Region are adjacent. and this demands new percention of our cooperation, creation of trasnport infrastructure, cooperation both in ecology, in labour market and relations in the social sphere, etc. All these -- another quality of relations which will undoutably be beneficial for the Kaluga Region and to the benefit of Moscow," the mayor emphasised.

The mayor also noted that he regards Governor of the Kaluga Region Anatoly Artamovov one of the most efficient governors in Russia. "It is not by chance that the Kaluga Region is one of the major trade partners of Moscow, though the region is not very large. Over the past few years, it turned into a highly technological centre of putting out goods, needed by Muscovites, starting from cars and ending with household machinery, including agricultural one.

"Of course it is impossible to reach such a level of production and such a level of economy without teamed-up serious and efficient actions of the regional authorities. And I'm glad that our partners are exactly such people," Sobyanin added.

In turn, Governor of the Kaluga Region called attention to the fact that proximity to Moscow is a very important advantage. "Some questions pop up, and we should jointly examine them and take appropriate steps, incuding administrative and in arranging good-neighbourly relations so as not to do harm both to the environmental sphere, but also to social infrastructure which has developed in our territory," Artamonov noted.

According to the governor, all these questons "will be recorded in the agreement". "Now we have a very good basis -- the starting point for further friendly relations. There is the history of relations between the Kaluga Region and Moscow. It is very favourable and is based, including the constantly operating agreement and not only it. We always say: Kaluga is Moscow's sister. Guided by this understanding, there was no antagonism between Muscovites and Kaluga citizens. I'm sure that our cooperation will continue in this way in future," he concluded.

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