Rustam Minnikhanov: Our main task is to enable as many Finnish companies as possible to be present in Tatarstan

Issues of further development of the relationship between the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Tatarstan as one of Russia’s most dynamically developing regions were discussed at the meeting of Finnish President Tarja Hallonen and Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.

The Tatarstan delegation led by its President Rustam Minnikhanov is in the Finnish capital Helsinki on a two-day working visit. The main aim of the visit is to encourage trade and economic cooperation between Finland and Tatarstan.

Speaking to journalist after the meeting with the Finnish President, Rustam Minnikhanov declared that this visit will raise the relationship with Finland to a new level.

Our major task is to enable as many Finnish companies as possible to be present in Tatarstan, the Tatarstan President said. “We would like to present the opportunities Tatarstan has today for the business development of foreign companies,” he added.

The head of Tatarstan emphasized that of huge interest to the republic is the education sphere in Finland.

“We’ll raise our relationship to an essentially new level and the Tatarstan’s role in the relationship between Russia and Finland will be important,” Rustam Minnikhanov declared.

Tarja Halonen answered questions about the prospects of the non-visa regime between Finland and Russia.

Commenting on the meeting with Rustam Minnikhanov, she said that they discussed what had been done and planned a series of new joint projects of Tatarstan and Finland.