Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation meets in Helsinki led by Ministers Väyrynen and Nabiullina

Press release 108/2010
13 April 2010

The eleventh joint meeting of the Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation takes place in Helsinki on 14 April. The agenda of the meeting, chaired by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen and Minister of Economic Development and Trade Elvira Nabiullina of Russia, includes the effects of the financial crisis and topical bilateral questions such as innovation cooperation and forest-sector investment prospects.

The Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation held its previous joint meeting in Moscow in March 2009. More than 20 sector-specific and region-specific working groups operate within the Commission; these working groups, for instance, develop joint projects and strive to resolve bilateral trade related problems. In conjunction with the meeting of the Commission, a business seminar will be held where the ministers will meet representatives of Finnish and Russian companies. The seminar topics focus on innovations and entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized businesses.

Minister Väyrynen and Minister Nabiullina will also have bilateral talks in connection with the joint meeting of the Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation.

Additional information: Päivi Nevala, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, tel. +358 9 1605 6171, mobile tel. +358 40 753 4375, and Counsellor Antti Vänskä, tel. +358 9 1605 5616, mobile tel. +358 40 513 1458