Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at a reception for the "Finland 200 Years in St. Petersburg" event in St. Petersburg on 29 March 2009

In Finland's history, the year 1809 has special significance. It marked the end of our country's political union with Sweden, which lasted over six hundred years, and the beginning of a period lasting a little over a hundred years that we Finns refer to as the period of autonomy. Finland became a Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire, with its own legislation and administration dating from the Swedish period.

Yesterday in Finland, we commemorated the bicentary of first Finnish Diet during the period of autonomy in Porvoo. Later this year, we will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of Finland's government and supreme courts.

In his closing speech at the Porvoo Diet, Emperor and Grand Duke Alexander said that Finland had been raised to the status of a nation among nations. This was an important expression of will, although the speech was not an actual legal document.

The building of the Finnish nation proceeded favourably particularly during the reign of Emperor Alexander II. His statue is located in an important place in Helsinki, in the centre of the Senate Square. Beginning in the mid-19th century, significant administrative and financial reforms were carried out in Finland. Finland received its own currency and post office. Nordic local government proceeded with the establishment of municipalities. The Saimaa Canal allowed brisk traffic between eastern Finland, Vyborg and St. Petersburg, which was the capital of Russia at that time.

Another example is the planning and construction of railways. Finland's first railway line was opened in 1862 between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna. As a legacy of this, Finland and Russia still have the same railway gauge.

Connections between Finland and St. Petersburg expanded to all areas of life. Finland became familiar to Russian officials, soldiers and merchants, artists and poets. People from St. Petersburg began visiting Finland to relax and enjoy nature.

St. Petersburg, in turn, became a permanent workplace and home for thousands of Finns, most of whom were tradesmen or involved in production tasks. They worked as cobblers and tailors, watchmakers and jewellers, bakers, rope-makers, coach drivers and chimney sweeps. But there were also many who came to St. Petersburg in search of higher education or to make a career, and from their number later rose generals, admirals and academicians.

Finnish culture developed and also enjoyed prestigious support. An example is the imperial art collection in Finland's Presidential Palace, which includes over thirty works. The emperors considered it important that the collection included works by gifted Finnish artists. What they depicted did not seem to make much difference. Thus, in addition to typically Finnish subjects, the collection also includes several landscapes from western Europe, where many Finnish artists studied and seeked influences.

The early part of autonomy was a good period. The entire period was not all sunshine, but a foundation was created for Finland's independence, which was gained in 1917, during the upheavals of the First World War and the Russian Revolution. Relations between independent Finland and Russia have gone through different and at times difficult stages. Today, our bilateral relations are excellent and rest on a more solid foundation than ever before. This is a good basis for the future.

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In recent years links between Finland and St. Petersburg have continuously strengthened. At present, the number of Finns living in St. Petersburg exceeds 4,000. There are 500 Finnish companies operating in the city. St. Petersburg and the surrounding region are the main destination for our exports and investments in Russia. We want our cooperation to cover all aspects of life and to promote interaction between people.

I would particularly like to draw attention to environmental cooperation. A cleaner Baltic Sea would be our region's finest gift to sustainable development and future generations. We must intensify cooperation and take more effective measures to save our common sea.

We already have several positive examples of concrete projects to protect the Baltic Sea. Significant progress has been made in treating wastewater in St. Petersburg.

The European Union is presently preparing its own Baltic Sea strategy. This strategy should be completed later this year, during the Swedish EU Presidency. Achieving concrete results requires good and close cooperation with Russia.

The Northern Dimension policy offers a viable framework for cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. Partnerships under the Northern Dimension have already produced good results in many areas and they should also be developed and used in the future.

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It is wonderful that we are now together starting the events of this commemorative year here in St. Petersburg. The programme for the year includes dozens of events, which can only be arranged together with partners in St. Petersburg. I wish to express warm thanks to all the partners and especially the city's administration and you personally, Governor Matviyenko, for your excellent cooperation.

The aim of the commemorative year is to draw attention to the importance of links between Finland and St. Petersburg and to increase interest among citizens in our shared history. I hope that it will also encourage us to look to the future and closer cooperation between the people of St. Petersburg and Finns.