On 25th October 2004 a meeting took place in Veliky Novgorod between General Manager of OJSC North-West Telecom V.A. Akulich and Governor of Novgorod Oblast M.M. Prusak. As a result of the meeting, an Agreement of Cooperation between the Administration of Novgorod Oblast and OJSC North-West Telecom was signed.    

The Agreement was signed on the basis of the mutual understanding of the parties that it is only  interaction and cooperation that can enable further efficient development of the company and the region and integration of the communication networks of Novgorod Oblast into a single information and telecommunication space of Russia.       

Under the Agreement, the following areas have been recognized as the most important fields of cooperation between the Oblast Administration and OJSC NWT:  

• development and digitalization of communication networks in Novgorod Oblast in the interests of creating a single information and telecommunication space of Russia; 
• meeting the needs of the population and enterprises in communication services as much as possible;   
• introducing  new technologies and services, construction of multi-service networks;
• implementing socially significant programmes and projects in the territory of Novgorod Oblast, including installation of telephone sets for disabled veterans and participants of World War II;    
• interaction and exchange of information to ensure the Company’s safety and to facilitate fighting terrorism. 

The Agreement was signed in the framework of implementing the programme of meetings of the management of OJSC North-West Telecom with heads of administrations, in whose territories Company branches operate.     

At a briefing that was held after the Agreement was signed, General Manager of OJSC North-West Telecom Vladimir Akulich noted that Novgorod Oblast was situated between the two capitals, the two biggest centers of the country – Moscow and St. Petersburg.  Therefore, a well-developed infrastructure, including a communication infrastructure, is important both for Novgorod Oblast itself and for developing economic relations between regions.