MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In late November, the Russian government stated that Medvedev would meet Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila for the first time since January. January's meeting was the first personal contact between the two prime ministers since Sipila got the top government post in early 2015. Sipila and Medvedev also held a phone conversation at the Finnish side's initiative regarding energy issues in late 2015.
During January's visit by Sipila to St. Petersburg, the two heads of government agreed to resume the work of an intergovernmental commission, while Medvedev stressed that EU anti-Russian sanctions have adversely affected relations between the two countries.
MEETING
"Dmitry Medvedev will pay a working visit to Finland on November 9. During the talks, Dmitry Medvedev and Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila will continue the discussion of current issues of Russian-Finnish trade and economic cooperation which began during the meeting on January 29, 2016, in St Petersburg," the Russian government said in November's statement.
The Russian decision came after Sipila's invitation. On November 27, the Finnish prime minister told the Centre Party, which he currently chairs, that his Russian counterpart had been invited to the country, adding that the European Union realizes the importance of dialogue with Russia for upholding global stability.
The meeting, planned to take place in northwestern town Oulu on the Gulf of Bothnia, will continue bilateral dialogue, discussing international and economic issues, according to Sipila.
ENERGY
Among previously unmentioned issues on the agenda are a planned fiber-optic cable that should link Europe and Asia via the Arctic and involves about ten countries.
Sipila added that the sides would also deal with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which Finland has previously approved.
The pipeline, planned to supply Russian gas via the Baltic Sea to northern Europe, caused a rift among EU members, with the Baltic states and Poland staunchly opposing its construction. Finland gave the project a go-ahead in 2010.
"Finland's position on this project was clear. For us, it is an issue of using our economic zone for receiving an ecological approval. Regarding any other evaluations, they will be made in the EU framework," Sipila said.
Finland relies heavily on hydrocarbon imports from Russia. Russian oil and gas account for almost 60 percent of Finland's energy imports.
INVESTMENT
In November, the Russian-Finnish Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation met in Moscow. The Finnish delegation was headed by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkanen while the Russian side was represented by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak.
Kozak said Russian exports to Finland grew 3 percent, while Finnish exports to Russia grew 10 percent. He stressed that the two sides confirmed a strategic partnership despite current constraints. In turn, Mykkanen said Finnish companies continue to work in Russia and are ready to expand their presence despite economic difficulties.
In its November statement, the Russian government said the implementation of bilateral projects in investment, infrastructure, energy, transport, ecology, culture and humanitarian areas would be discussed by Medvedev and Sipila on December 9.
The Russia delegation heading to Oulu will include Russian Natural Resource Minister Sergei Donskoi, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, Minister of Communications and Mass Media Nikolai Nikiforov as well as Karelian Republic head Aleksandr Hudilainen.
Russia's Republic of Karelia shares a long border with Finland and has significant economic and cultural ties with its EU neighbor.
