OREANDA-NEWS. October 8, 2012. Head of Karelia Alexander Khudilainen held a meeting with the delegation of the Senate of the Republic of Poland and representatives of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Eminent guests arrived in Karelia on a working visit within the scope of the program of cooperation between parliaments of the two countries.

The delegation headed by Chairman of the Polish-Russian Senate Parliamentary group Janusz Sepiol includes eight senators. As he said, the group of Polish-Russian friendship established 4 years ago today works in two directions. First, it makes fact-finding trips in order to get acquainted with partners for cooperation, and, second, promotes carrying out and organization of Russian-Polish forums.

Janusz Sepiol has thanked the hosts for the opportunity to get acquainted with Karelia and has emphasized, that Poland is interested in development of mutual relations with Russia.

– Within the past five-six years Polish-Russian relations have received new dynamics, and today Russia is of great interest to Poles. We observe it in the Senate: the Polish-Russian group is the most numerous of all groups of friendship in our parliament. We see the economic growth rate of your country. However, we lack information on all opportunities, therefore, it is so important to have good communications between regions and between our parliaments. This is why we visit even such remote territories as Karelia is for us, – Janusz Sepiol said.

The Polish senator also mentioned that the delegation has come to Karelia like 'pathfinders' to inform on the opportunities of cooperation with the region on return.

Head of Karelia Alexander Khudilainen has told the visitors about the republic, its riches – from natural to cultural, and prospects of development.

– Karelia has a great potential and prospects. Today we pursue a new policy focused on mobilization of investments in the republic, we conduct active international cooperation. We are sure that the rebirth of economy of the region will begin very soon. We work hard in this direction, – Head of the republic addressed to senators.

According to Alexander Khudilainen, Poland and Karelia have not established twin-city relations so far, and the republic is ready to discuss this issue. These relations may concern cultural cooperation, partnership in the field of education, public health services, social policy, as well as economic relationship. "There could be many subjects for discussion of mutually advantageous cooperation," – Alexander Khudilainen said.

About 2,000 Poles live in Karelia since the Stalin era when Poles were forced to resettle all over the country.

During the meeting the parties also discussed various issues actual both for Russia, and for Poland, and then exchanged souvenirs in memory of the meeting.

While in Petrozavodsk, Polish members of the parliament have visited the Kantele House and have got acquainted with exhibitions of the National Museum of the republic. Besides, the program of their visit includes meetings in the Legislative Assembly and with the youth of Karelia.