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Ms Halonen discussed her upcoming trip to St Petersburg at the invitation of Governor Valentina Matviyenko. At the Finnish President’s and Prime Minister’s initiative, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will meet with Finnish business community representatives during the visit. Both leaders pointed out they are confident this meeting will give a new boost to investment cooperation and to bilateral trade and economic ties in general.

Mr Medvedev and Ms Halonen also reviewed current issues in various areas in the two countries’ diverse relations, noting, in particular, the important role of cultural and educational cooperation.

President Halonen expressed support for Mr Medvedev’s proposal to promote cooperation between the two countries’ justice and social welfare ministries and other relevant agencies to develop a legal mechanism, based on the highest international standards, that could be used to settle humanitarian issues and develop cooperation in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding that forms the essence of bilateral relations.

The conversation took place at Finland’s initiative.