Special relations is our general history. So considers
Special relations is our general history. So considers
The ambassador of Finland in Russia Ren Njuberg.
According to Njuberga, it has arrived to work in the country, with which
Connects the warmest memoirs of the youth.
- I began in 1973 in our embassy in Moscow, -
He speaks. - in the end of 1975 has moved to consulate in
Leningrad. It is happy it was time: liked job, good
Apartment, the most interesting city with which I admired. That else
It is necessary for the young man? Here in Pietari - so we, Finns,
We name Peter - my oldest daughter was born. I share opinion
Poet Joseph Brodsky who has expressed in that spirit, that if
You live in a country town, it is better if it is located at
The seas. Helsinki built under small St.-Petersburg - so
The Russian emperor, and we in the "big" Peter has wished
Felt at home.
- The mister the ambassador, recently the president of Finland Tarja Halonen
Has told, that now between our countries it is better than the relation, than
They were ever in history. Many connect this warming
Human "climate" with leaving in past so-called
"Special relations". It is possible to recollect an ideological cliche of those
Years: "Finland - a show-window of our relations with the West".
- I would not tell, that our special relations somewhere
Have disappeared. Special relations is the our general border which has become
Now border of the European union with Russia, it is our general
History. Now at us really normal
Interstate and human relations. Instead of participants
"Friendship trains" to us come on the money usual
The Russian tourists. Come the whole families - and
Specially on a meeting of the Christmas, New year or, say, on
Ivanov's celebrating of day, when on island Seurasaari in line
Helsinki kindle a huge fire. It is pleasant to your people
The untouched Finnish nature, the Finnish service. Quantity of visas,
Given out to Russians last year, has come nearer to a record 1997
Year when them have received 400 thousand persons.
- However the Finnish tourist in Moscow became almost a rarity.
With what it is connected?
- Not only with that Moscow now - one of most
Expensive cities of the world. A trouble that here is not enough the cheap
The two-three-stars hotels responding the international
To requirements. Smart hotels it is too expensive for many Finns.
The present boom is observed at us on the Estonian direction.
Passenger vessels make to 24 flights in day from Helsinki in
Tallinn and back. All of them are claimed. For comparison: from
St.-Petersburg any does not go kruiznoe a vessel to Helsinki
And only two trains in day.
- We have approached to the problems nevertheless existing between ours
The countries...
- The problem really is, but they especially practical
Character also are quite solved. There are no, for example, throughput
Points through border or their capacities are insufficient. But
A lot of the departmental bureaucracy operating like a blood clot,
Blocking transport arteries. We recognise that on
To border there should be only customs officers, frontier guards or
Policemen. It is important to "remove" other bodies and supervising
Instances far away from points of crossing of border. I mean
Road, sanitary and other services. Then will be less
Stoppers, sad standing in turns.
- The mister the ambassador as you estimate our economic
Relations? To begin that they more than ten years
Develop without "directive" instructions from above, in frameworks in
The core of the private initiative?
- I estimate rather positively. Though following the results of the past
Year Russia has appeared almost the unique country, at
Which Finland buys more than sells. Positive
Balance of trading balance on your party. Our export
Makes 34 percent, and import of Russia - 66 percent.
The import structure, the truth, has not undergone special changes. It
Basically energy carriers, wood, metals, chemical products.
For example, 20 percent of requirements of our pulp-and-paper
The industries become covered at the expense of deliveries from your country.
The Finnish export is production of mechanical engineering,
Electronics, manufacture mobile phones world-wide
Known concern "п п?п п п ". Unfortunately it is, less, than before,
We deliver the household goods, a foodstuff.
- The decision on the introduction into the European union was for Finns
Rather uneasy. It is enough to recollect voting results: 53
Population percent - pro, 47 - contra. As now, later
Years, Finns estimate the choice?
- As a whole the Finnish society is enough. However, at
Sociological researches declare itself and proof
Opponents of EU. Now them became less. And it is difficult to challenge
That fact, that the country as a result has received a powerful push for the
Developments, an activity new field on vseevropejskoj to arena.
The prestige of Finland in the world has considerably grown. Especially to it
Semi-annual presidency of my country in EU promoted,
With which, in the general opinion, it has consulted successfully.
Finland before the first has put forward idea Northern
Measurements of the European union as perspective direction
For closer cooperation of this organisation with Russia,
The countries of Baltic. We would like to serve as the bridge between ours
East the neighbour - Russia and incorporated Europe.
- In Finland from minority mentioned by you it was necessary
To hear: the introduction into EU was especially favourable Finnish
To officials and politicians: they sit at EuroParliament,
Became the important persons, successfully do to itself career and other.
What counterarguments here can be?
- Probably, you mean benefits for simple people? Nevertheless
I will begin with national values. Finland successfully
Overcomes the relative isolation connected before
In total with its geographical position and mentality of the people.
Almost half of our youth now freely works for
Boundary, in EU member states. As far as I know, Finns willingly
Take everywhere.
Unemployment in the country nevertheless remains, but it mentions in
The core of the older persons which do not have modern trades, not
Wished or not managed to train for a new profession. In the same
Time at us acute problems with shots for branches were outlined,
The high technologies connected with development. Does not suffice,
For example, programmers though Finland also name "the country
Engineers ". We have started to invite experts from China, India.
By the way, Chineses pay at us for the training, they
Have appeared mobile and very sensible people.
- So other "beautiful" definition of Finland -
"Northern Japan" - too in any measure is justified: at you
More and more appears Asians. Some already bring an attention to the question about
The use of a word "Finns" instead of a word "Finns", considering,
That in the country there live saami, gipsies, Somalis, Vietnameses, Ethiopians
And more than 20 thousand "Russian Finns".
- You have forgotten about Swedes, whose language at us, as is known,
The second state. But Finland nevertheless the country is enough
Monolithic on national structure. It to you not Russia, where
Only in Moscow live more than 140 national diasporas and
Almost 30 religious faiths. Certainly, in due course and we
We can become rather multinational country, after all
Theoretically to us can come on job from any
EU states. In practice of special flow while is not present: not all
Thirst to get over more close to our Grandfather to the Frost, which, as
It is known "lives" in Lapland.
- You put what purpose before yourselves on a post of the ambassador of the
The countries in Russia?
- I will be glad, if by the end of my term of stay here
Will become stronger not only traditional Russian-finnish communications,
But also closer cooperation of your country will be adjusted with
The European union which has become by means of border with Finland,
Its the nearest the neighbour. And more I would like to return the mass
The Finnish tourist to Moscow, having saved thus high rates
Developments of tourism from Russia.
Vladimir SHMYGANOVSKY talked.
//* an information Source: the Parliamentary newspaper, 5.07.01
//* Reg. Nom. - 1110700075.41-------------------------------------------
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