11 June 2002 00:00
ON PARTICIPATION OF RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER MIKHAIL KASYANOV IN 4TH MEETING OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT OF COUNCIL OF BALTIC SEA STATES MEMBER COUNTRIES IN ST. PETERSBURG
2002-06-10-005
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has declared that a mutually acceptable solution on the Kaliningrad Region problem should be found even before the accession of Poland and Lithuania to the European Union in 2003. He spoke at the Fourth Meeting of Heads of Government of Member Countries of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
Kasyanov noted that for successful development of the Kaliningrad Region by virtue of its special geographic position proper external conditions are necessary. He stressed that lately "much is being done for the development of Kaliningrad, and Russian authorities are completely fulfilling their obligations toward this region." He spoke up also for the need to soften the visa regime between Kaliningrad and the adjacent countries. "Many people believe that with the simplification of the visa regime a wave of organized crime may flood the neighboring countries," he said. "But none the less the crime rate in the Kaliningrad Region is not higher than in many neighboring regions."
The head of the Russian Government also stressed that within the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) a huge experience has been amassed in the struggle against organized crime. "We welcome the preparedness of our partners in the struggle both against international terrorism and against organized crime, which is in many respects a struggle for democracy," he added. At the present time he said the Baltic region is the "most stable" one, and noted that the idea of good-neighborliness being put into practice by the Council participants has in the last few years received its fruitful development.
Along with this, Kasyanov stressed, questions of economic cooperation have a priority character for the CBSS member countries. Removal of trade barriers and the creation of a uniform environment for enterprise are now coming to the fore, he explained.
Kasyanov also said such an area as cooperation in modern information technologies will receive a new development soon. The Prime Minister gave an assurance that Russia is willing to share its related ideas and products with partners. Another major direction Kasyanov thinks is the development of contacts in small and medium-sized business. It is gratifying that in 2003 a business forum of small and medium-sized enterprises will be held in St. Petersburg. He also pointed out that "improving the transport infrastructure among the CBSS member countries" is very important for the development of good partner relations.
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