Vladimir Putin's speech at the ceremony:

Mr Vanhanen, ladies and gentlemen,

I am happy to welcome you to this ceremony, the opening of Finland House in St Petersburg. Just like my Finnish colleague, I would like to thank everyone who took part in this important project.

Such initiatives are of great significance because they are aimed at expanding contacts between people - something that fills the dialogue between countries with the invaluable components of mutual trust and rapport. We highly appreciate it that Russian-Finnish relations have been filled with this kind of content for decades.

It would be hard to think of a sphere where Russia and Finland have no joint plans or projects. We cooperate in energy, high technologies, infrastructure, environment, science and research, education, tourism and sports.

A Russian pavilion at the Helsinki Book Fair opened a few days ago. I know that people in Finland are fond of Russian classical literature; I also hope that having this pavilion at the Helsinki fair will give Finnish readers an awareness of modern Russian literature as well.

Today's event certainly shows both countries' willingness to expand contacts between people - young people, business leaders, and people of culture and the arts.

It is also symbolic that Finland House is opening in St Petersburg. I see this as a credit to this city's residents and an appreciation of their contribution to the development of constructive partnership between our two countries.

Mr Prime Minister has already mentioned that St Petersburg is linked to many landmarks in the development of Finland's statehood. This event also takes place in the year of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Finnish autonomy within the Russian Empire.

We have gained a high pace of development of our relations and expect them to grow as fast in the future.

In conclusion, I would like to wish Finland House success for the benefit of both nations. We are genuinely interested in seeing it soon as a hub for all those who wish to know more about the Finish culture, language and traditions.

I am confident that Finland House in St Petersburg will become a place where friends meet and benefit from its hospitable and warm atmosphere.

Thank you.