Vladivostok, France Seek Closer Cooperation

VLADIVOSTOK. February 12. VOSTOK-MEDIA – Vladivostok mayor Igor Pushkarev held a meeting Wednesday with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Russia Jean de Gliniasty, who had arrived in Vladivostok on a working visit.

The Russian side at the meeting was represented by Deputy Mayor of Vladivostok Aleksandr Zubritsky, advisor to the Mayor of Vladivostok Vladimir Zakharov, acting Head of Primorsky Krai Department for International Affairs and Tourism Aleksei Moiseenko, Deputy Head of Department of Economy and Enterprise Development Nadezhda Smirnova, as well as chief executive officer of the non-profit organization Alliance Francaise de Vladivostok Elena Nikitina, press office of Vladivostok Administration reports.

The French delegation included Second Councilor at French Embassy in Russia, Alexander Giorgini, embassy spokesman Thomas Buffin, the representative of Freyssinet International in Russia Jean-Daniel Lebon, Chief Financial Officer of Valode & Pistre in Russia David Motte, as well as AREVA T&D Marketing Associate Director Dmitry Chernov, and Sales Manager at Vallurek Mannesmann Rus. Ltd Yury Agapov.

Vladivostok and Primorsky Krai are bound with France by deep historical ties: French explorers Jean François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse, and Ternai have left an indelible imprint on the history of exploration of Primorsky Krai. De Vries peninsula located near Vladivostok was named after one of French explorers. At present, the construction of a large highway, which will stretch up to Russky Island, is well underway in the peninsula. The highway construction is like a symbolic link connecting France and Russia.

Each year, a number of French films festivals, art exhibits, and other cultural events are held in Vladivostok. French performers often visit the city to give a concert. There is a growing number of student and academic exchange programs. Famous French film actors, Catherine Deneuve and Pierre Richard, were honorary guests at Pacific Meridian Film Festival, which is held in Vladivostok. One of the city’s hotels bears French name – Versailles. The joint programs launched by renowned cultural and education centers – Russkiy Mir Foundation and Alliance Francaise, contribute considerably to the development of friendly relations between Vladivostok and France.

In addition, famous French construction companies are taking part in 2012 APEC summit construction projects. France’s top architecture company has expressed its willingness to participate in the upgrading of Vladivostok’s seafront and historic centers.

These stable processes dictate the necessity of encouraging and strengthening formal ties between the two countries. And that’s why Igor Pushkaryov and Jean de Gliniasty have discussed the possibility of opening of French consulate in Vladivostok, as well as the establishment of sister-city relations between Vladivostok and Nouméa, the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia.