COPENHAGEN, June 18 (Itar-Tass) —— The strengthening of cooperation among Baltic countries and the initiatives for the resumption of economic growth are the themes at the 14th meeting of the Baltic Development Forum that opened here on Monday and of the European Commission’s 3rd annual Forum on the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.
Some 800 statesmen, politicians and public figures, business people, scientists and journalists attend the functions. Russia is represented mainly by staffers of research centers and higher educational establishments and members of non-governmental organizations of the country’s North Western Federal District.
Participants in the meeting exchange opinions on ways to ensure economic growth and sustainable development of the region. The debates focus on consolidation of the infrastructure, enhancement of competitiveness, the partnership between the state and the private sectors, as well as investment projects.
“The Baltic Development Forum is a major annual regional function,” Slava Khodko, the chairman of the executive of the North-West Association of Russia, told Itar-Tass. “It offers an opportunity to learn about European trends, receive the latest information and find new solutions. Therefore, participation of Russian representatives, particularly from regions of Russia, that aim for mutual relations with Baltic countries is extremely useful,” he said.
A session on success of cooperation with Russian companies was held at the forum. Participants in the session shared opinions on the ways to speed up cooperation and made suggestions how to enhance economic interaction with Russia.
“Cooperation with Russia has vast prospects, and there is a political will for this on both sides,” said Mikko Lohikoski, the chair of the session, coordinator of the initiative for the development of Baltic cities and regions. “We have common problems and we can solve them effectively, avoiding bias and finding the common language,” he said.