St. Petersburg Mayor: Russia Won't be Reticent G8 Summit Host

The G8 Summit takes place Saturday in Russia's "little Detroit", where world leaders from the Group of Eight countries will discuss Mideast violence, Iran's nuclear program, climate change, global energy security, and much more. DW-WORLD.DE interviewed Valentina Matviyenko, mayor of President Putin's multi-cultural hometown.

DW-WORLD.DE: Which problems will be discussed during the summit? What will Russia's contribution look like, concerning issues like global energy security and viral epidemics, for example?

Valentina Matviyenko: Generally, topics brought up at G8 Summits are relevant for the world population. You mentioned some of them already. Of course, Russia won't just stand around and play the host. As the state that holds the G8 presidency this year, we are preparing our proposals for all of the issues on the table. I can't tell you what the proposals are yet.

As far as energy security is concerned, Russia -- as a major distributor of energy -- has the right to act as a trendsetter in this area and offer suggestions that will later be practically implemented.

St. Petersburg has always wrestled with Moscow over being the capital city. Has the city at least become a cultural, financial or commercial -- if not political -- capital city since Putin took office?

Vladimir Putin was born in St. Petersburg. No one else understands the role St. Petersburg has played in the country, historically and today, like he does. That's why the city has had so many problems making its enormous economic, scientific and educational potential attractive for Russia. Naturally, Putin sees St. Petersburg as the northern, European capital city.

We have accomplished a lot. Our city is one of the most dynamically developing regions. We have been able to achieve significant growth in leading economic sectors. We have attracted investors and created transparent and fair conditions for the corporate world. Since the administrative court has started holding meetings here, the city's image has improved accordingly.

St. Petersburg has been called "Russia's Detroit" because automobile manufacturing giants like GM, Toyota and Nissan want to build factories in the city. Why aren't there any Germany car companies in St. Petersburg?

We haven't had any negotiations with Volkswagen because their board didn't get in touch with us. But we did negotiate with Daimler Chrysler. Why aren't they here? The luxury car maker wanted exclusive production rights. However, we follow the Russian laws for foreign car manufacturers entering the market. The Russian government didn't want to make changes to the law, even in the case of such a highly regarded company.

Other producers successfully came away from the negotiations. Numerous agreements have been signed and projects are currently in the works. In addition, we are negotiating with a series of distribution and component production companies. We seem to be creating a real auto industry in St. Petersburg.

As far as German companies go in general, they're very active in St. Petersburg. Knauf, Bosch and Siemens are currently putting up shop here. German companies know and love St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg has been labeled "the capital of Russian nationalism". How serious is the situation with racism there today?

People did in fact want to brand St. Petersburg as a racist city, which doesn't match the public opinion and the spirits of our residents here at all. St. Petersburg began as an international city. Over 100 nationalities and ethnic groups and all kinds of different religions are represented here.

In our 300-year history there have never been conflicts based on where people came from. However, the accusations have intensified now just before the G8 Summit and, unfortunately, some people in the media have adopted these speculations.

Nonetheless, xenophobia and nationalism are also present here, just as they are in every other country, especially in metropolitan areas.

Sergei Morosov interviewed Valentina Matviyenko (kjb)