KALININGRAD (Russia)

The capital of the westernmost region of Russia, totally separated from the rest of the country, Kaliningrad is a gate to Western Europe and an intersection of trade routes. Kaliningrad has a history of over 700 years, and once it was the capital of East Prussia. The city numbers 423 000 inhabitants.

The beginnings of the city date back to the year 1255 when Königsberg castle, from which Kaliningrad later developed, was established. From the very beginning of its existence, the city was a member of the Hanseatic Union. Königsberg was renamed Kaliningrad in 1946. In connection with the variety of cultures, Kaliningrad is sometimes called a "Small Russian America".

As far as the attractions of the city are concerned it is worth mentioning that in Kaliningrad there is Amber Museum having over 6 000 exhibits. The 19th century Cathedral is also worth visiting together with the tomb of Immanuel Kant, a famous philosopher.

Kaliningrad is the only not freezing Russian port by the Baltic Sea. The port was established in 1945 on the premises of the former port of Königsberg, which had been destroyed. As far as the economy is concerned, Kaliningrad is a centre of fishing industry, paper and food industry as well as extraction of natural resources (oil, amber, peat, coal).

In Kaliningrad there is "Yantar" free economic zone which is favourable to the influx of businessmen and tourists from all over the world. Among the investors establishing their companies in the territory of this zone the following countries are present: Germany, Great Britain, Lithuania, Poland and Israel. The agreement on cooperation between the cities was signed on 27th October 1994. On 31st July 1997 it was substituted by a new, modified twinning agreement which was signed in Gdynia for an indefinite period of time. The agreement stresses cooperation in establishing direct contacts between state organisations as well as social and trade organisations and companies of both cities in the sphere of production, trade, culture, science and environmental protection.

The effects of cooperation:

• participation of municipal officers from Kaliningrad in the training in Gdynia entitled "Public Utilities Management in the city" - September 2004
• initiation of cooperation between World Trade Center Gdynia (WTCG) and Academy of Management in Kaliningrad in the organization of trade missions (the first mission - to Riazan - took place in June 1995)
• participation of Kaliningrad City Hall in an exhibition and fair "Neighbours'94" and in the International Economic Exhibition of Baltic Sea Region INTERBALTIC'95, organized by WTCG Expo
• exchange of pupils between Primary School No. 11 and the Glier Musical School in Kaliningrad
• intensification of cooperation between Chambers of Industry and Commerce of both cities
• cooperation between Gdynia Maritime University and Baltic National Academy of Fishing and Industrial Fleet
• business contacts of Maritime Office with fishery administration of the Kaliningrad Region - Zapbałtrywod (exchange of experience at annual meetings and cooperation in all fields of Baltic fishery)
• cooperation of Sea Fisheries Institute in Gdynia with AtłantNIRO from Kaliningrad in the field of fish resources management in Gdańsk Bay and in Vistula Reservoir as well as cooperation with AO NPO Rybtechcenter in the field of testing prototypes of fish processing machines and the possibility of purchase of processing equipment
• cooperation in creating the Euroregion Baltic (1997) and realization of plans made within Euroregion
• organization of financial means for charity (purchase of anti-TB medicines for Kindergarten No. 124 in Kaliningrad - December 1997)
• organization of humanitarian aid for Kaliningrad in cooperation with Charity Foundation ATLAS and Gdynia enterprises. Three convoys with food, cleaning agents and clothes:
• October 1998 - for Municipal Hospital
• November 1998 - for Orphans' Boarding School No. 3
• December 1998 - for the Fakiel Orphanage
• organization of International Contact Camp in Gdynia for orphans from Orphans' Boarding School No.3 from Kaliningrad (45 persons) within the project co-financed from Euroregion Small Project Fund of Cross-border Cooperation Programme Phare - July 1999
• participation of Gdynia representatives in the celebrations held on the occasion of awarding Kaliningrad the Council of Europe Honorary Flag - July 1999
• a study visit of representatives of the City Board and City Council of Gdynia in Kaliningrad in order to discuss the cooperation - March 2000
• study visit to Gdynia of Kaliningrad specialists in the field of drug addiction from Kaliningrad in order to initiate cooperation - April 2000
• participation of representatives of Gdynia in festivities "Days of Kaliningrad" - June 2000
• cooperation while working on the project "United Against Drugs" - April 2001
• participation of teenagers from Kaliningrad in 10th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia - May 2002
• planting of a symbolic tree by representatives of Kaliningrad in Gdynia Twin Cities Avenue - May 2002
• participation of Gdynia representatives in the festivities of "Days of Kaliningrad" combined with the celebrations held on the occasion of awarding Kaliningrad the Council of Europe Honorary Plaque - July 2002
• study visit of Kaliningrad Duma Deputy concerning establishing of a sea connection with Kaliningrad Region - August 2002
• participation of young people from Kaliningrad in 11th Twin Cities Sports Competition - May 2003
• participation of Gdynia representative during the 2nd International Polish-Russian seminar in Gdynia during which she made a speech - May 2003
• participation of the youth from Kaliningrad in the 12th Twin Cities Sporting Competition - April/May 2004
• participation of municipal officers from Kaliningrad in the training in Gdynia entitled "Public Utilities Management in the city" - September 2004
• working visit of Kaliningrad Region administration concerning a discussion on the possibility of economic cooperation - January 2005
• visit of the President of the Ecological Association to Gdynia in order to hand over the artistic works for a post-competition exhibition in the Public Municipal Library (Branch n 18) - March 2005
• participation of youth from Kaliningrad in the 13th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia - April 2005
• participation of Gdynia City Council representatives in the celebrations of the 750th anniversary of Kaliningrad - July 2005
• participation of Kaliningrad representatives in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of granting Gdynia city rights - February 2006
• participation of young sportsmen from Kaliningrad in the 14th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia - May 2006
• participation of Kaliningrad representatives in the Annual Meeting of the UBC Commission on Sport entitled "Active Living" - May 2006
• participation of Gdynia delegation in the celebrations of "Kaliningrad Days" - July 2006
• participation of young sportsmen from Kaliningrad in the 15th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia - May 2007
• participation of Gdynia representatives in the festivities of "Days of Kaliningrad" - July 2007
• participation of Kaliningrad City Hall representatives in the 2nd Seminar within the RAINNET project - September 2007
• study visit of Kaliningrad Region administration representatives concerning the activities of the local self-government - October 2007
• participation of young sportsmen from Kaliningrad in the 16th Twin Cities Sporting Competition in Gdynia - May 2008
• participation of Kaliningrad representatives in the opening of Gdynia Twin Cities Information Point in the Academic Reading Room of the City Library - May 2008
• visit of Kaliningrad official delegation to Gdynia - May 2008
• visit of the representatives of Kaliningrad media and Polish Consulate General in Kaliningrad to Gdynia - June 2008
• participation of Gdynia representatives in the Kaliningrad Days celebrations - September 2008