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Vermont gov hosts Russian leader
July 1st, 2004
Governor Douglas Hosts Economic and Cultural Exchange Meeting With President of Russian Republic of Karelia
Montpelier, Vt.-Governor Jim Douglas today hosted President Sergei Katanandov of the Russian Republic of Karelia at a sister-state summit to discuss issues of mutual interest including the value of the sister-state relationship, enhancing economic development, environmental protection strategies, and the possibility of legislative and executive exchanges.
Katanandov is heading a formal trade delegation whose mission includes visits to a trade show in New York and to Duluth, Minnesota, the sister city of Karelia’s capital of Petrozavodsk.
Following an hour-long meeting between Katanandov and Douglas, the Karelian delegation participated in a roundtable discussion with officials from Vermont’s economic development team.
Governor Douglas, who majored in Russian Studies at Middlebury College, speaks Russian and, in 1993, traveled to Russia to help the fledgling democracy pen new election laws, said he is very proud to renew the 15-year-old sister-state relationship. “Our relationship with the Republic of Karelia can help us to open more markets for Vermont products in Russia, and help us to strengthen cultural ties to an important part of the world,” Douglas said. “It is a pleasure to welcome President Katanandov back to Vermont, renew our sister-state relationship, and discuss numerous issues of mutual interest.”
According to the Vermont World Trade Office, Vermont exports to Russia went from $1.04 million in 2002 to $3.1 million in 2003, an increase of 200 percent. Russia is Vermont’s 28th largest trading partner.
Katanandov served as Mayor of Petrozavodsk from 1994 to 1998, when he was elected to his first term as Governor of Karelia. He is currently in his second term. Before becoming Mayor, he was employed as a chief engineer on major construction projects and served in the Karelian Legislature. He is a member of the United Russia party, the party of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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