Presidents of Russia and Finland have discussed trade and economic relations and particularly the issue of forestry, a Russian presidential aide said on Saturday.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen met on Saturday on the sidelines of the fifth world congress of Finno-Ugric peoples in West Siberian city of Khanty-Mansiisk.
"The president of Finland paid a particular attention to the issue of Finland's import of timber," Sergei Prikhodko said adding that President Medv
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edev reiterated Moscow's course aimed at processing of timber on the territory of Russia.
Forestry is one of the main areas of cooperation between Russia and Finland, with 20% of the Finnish timber industry working for Russian companies. Finland said last year it could put a brake on Russia's accession to the WTO after Moscow announced it would raise export duties on timber up to 80% by 2011.
Prikhodko did not say whether Halonen spoke this time of any possible steps, which Helsinki may take in response to Russia's raise of export duties on timber.
Presidents of Russia and Finland have discussed trade and economic relations and particularly the issue of forestry, a Russian presidential aide said on Saturday.
