Welcome to the Russian Far East!
Dear guests, members of the EU-Russia summit delegation. From the bottom of my heart I am happy to welcome you here on the Land of the Russian Far East!
The
EU-Russian Federation summit takes place here in the Russian Far East
for the first time. You will have a chance to be convinced how large
our country is, how beautiful i
t
is, and what wide opportunities for trade and economic, scientific,
technical, and cultural cooperation the Russian Far East offers to
Europe.
Our region has all the factors to cooperate with the European Union. The Far Eastern Federal district is a large, dynamically developing market of goods and services, possessing high potential for its growth. The European market in its turn is of no less importance as an export market for the Russian Far East. Some European companies have already become participants of large projects in our district.
The Russian Far East is a region possessing rich deposits of natural resources including nearly all elements from Mendeleev’s table, with a unique flora and fauna. Gold and diamonds are mined here; we are rich in oil and gas, timber and fish. Natural resources allow us to develop electrical energy, fuel, mining and non-ferrous metal industries. Industrial potential and highly technological production capacities present a business card of the region.
A very important component in the district development is creation of international transportation corridors and development of infrastructure communications. But the major fortune of the Russian Far East is well educated, knowledgeable, skilled, laborious and hospitable people. Practically all the subjects of the Russian Federation that are part of the Far Eastern Federal district are attractive for foreign investors.
I am fully convinced that the Russian Far East has an interesting and bright future. Russia, being a state integrated both in European and Asian economies will become a bridge between the European Union and Asian-Pacific region countries.
We invite the countries of the EU to mutually work to modernize Far Eastern economy and to integrate it into the world economy to solve the security issues, to fight climate change and environmental pollution. I wish mutual understanding and success in solving urgent issues to the members of the EU-Russia summit delegation. Welcome to the Russian Far East!
Sincerely, Victor Ishaev, Plenipotentiary of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal district
May, 21st, 2009
10. Write an essay on the following theme: “What will happen to the Far East in 20 years?” suggested seminar topics to discuss seminar № 1
UNIT I. MOVEMENT TO THE FAR EAST
1. The first foreign explorers of the Far East, goals of their expeditions and places they’ve researched.
2. Historians say that V. Poyarkov was cruel with his team. Prove if it was the necessity or a feature of his character.
3. Biography and character of Y. P. Khabarov as an example how to be a real Russian commercial man.
UNIT II. FIGHT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND MANCHURIA FOR THE AMUR TERRITORY
5. Reign of Regent Sophia and causes to sign the Nerchinsk treaty disadvantageous for Russia.
UNIT IV. PETER’S AGE IN THE FAR EAST
6. Biography of Peter I and his uneasy way to the Russian throne.
7. Peter I: the great reformer of Russia.
8. Biography and fate of Aleksey Ilyich Chirikov, a Russian navigator, captain, and deputy to Vitus Bering during the Great Northern Expedition to Kamchatka and the Pacific.
9. Attempts of Russian Tzars to develop the Far East after the death of Peter I.
10. Expedition of Joseph Billings, an English navigator and explorer, invited by Catherine II to search for the Northeast Passage.