Great potential of Russian-Finnish relation

MOSCOW, February 28, 2002. /from RIA Novosti correspondent Natalia Gorbunova/. Moscow and Helsinki have great potential and brilliant opportunities for the development of cooperation, Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen told Vladimir Putin on Thursday. According to Lipponen, Russia and Finland are countries with rich resources, especially in the wood sector. Our forests begin in Helsinki and end in the Urals, he added, smiling. During his current visit to Moscow, the Finnish Prime Minister would like to discuss Finland's possible participation in the development of the Russian lumber sector. He also expects to discuss with Russian leaders the situation after the September 11 events. Lipponen conveyed all best wishes from Finnish President Tarja Halonen to Vladimir Putin.