Finland's Programme of Events for 300th Anniversary of St Petersburg Presented Today in Helsinki

The latest meeting of the Finnish council for the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg takes place today in Helsinki. More than 60 well-known figures from Finnish political, economic, cultural and social life will be taking part at the meeting.

As a Rosbalt correspondent was informed by the Finland-Russia society, the meeting will be opened by the council's chairman and Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen. Chairman of the council's leading team and Chairman of Finland-Russia Heikki Talvitie will present the Finnish programme of events for the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg. Managing Director of the Finpro association for the promotion of Finnish export Tapani Kaskeala will make a short speech on the prospects for economic cooperation between Finland and Saint Petersburg. Chairman of the Saint Petersburg foreign policy committee Alexander Prokhorenko will address those present about the city's preparations for the celebration of its 300th anniversary. After these official introductions there will be an open discussion which will be followed by a press conference attended by both Finnish and foreign representatives of the mass media.

During the course of the day Mr Prokhorenko will also have talks with Mayor of Turku Armas Lakhoniit and Deputy Mayor of Helsinki Pekka Korpinen. Late in the evening Mr Prokhorenko will leave Helsinki on a flight to Paris.