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Addressing the conference, the Russian President said that the Northwestern Federal District would play a major role in Russia’s integration into the European economic space. He said that the experience of the region’s cooperation with its neighbours might be most valuable at the talks on Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation. Besides, the district’s border location facilitates direct contact with EU countries, both in business and the humanitarian sphere.

Touching on the Kaliningrad Region’s problem, President Putin called it a central issue in Russia’s dialogue with the European Union. During the recent Russia-EU summit in Moscow, Russia firmly upheld its position on the Kaliningrad Region in connection with the EU expansion, the President noted. To settle the Kaliningrad Region’s issue, it is necessary to develop the region’s contacts with the rest of Russia.