The message reads, in part:
“Your high-profile event coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence. Over the past century, the relations between our countries were at times complicated, but in the last decades they have evolved into genuinely friendly and good neighbourly relations.
Twin-city relations have always played an important role in the bilateral ties between Russia and Finland by bringing together more than 250 big and small cities on both sides of the border. Cooperation between sister cities helped step up experience sharing between local authorities and civil society organisations, educational and research institutions, creative and business communities. Promising social, humanitarian, research, technology, infrastructure and other joint projects are being developed and implemented.
I strongly believe that your meeting will be meaningful and productive, providing a further impetus for promoting inter-regional and cross-border cooperation with a view to enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the people of Russia and Finland.”