Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 9 March (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia need to cooperate actively in the development of both the Arctic and Antarctic, Artur Chilingarov, a well-known Russian explorer of the Arctic and Antarctic, prominent scientist and oceanographer, told BelTA after his meeting with Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich.

"There is a whole galaxy of Belarusian polar explorers. For example, Vladimir Tyshkevich (biologist Vladimir Tyshkevich was part of the crew of the drifting station SP-32 Russia) and Vladimir Koshelev, who was the head of the drifting station. I also have Belarusian roots. My mother was from Gorodok. My great-grandfather was an honorary citizen of Polotsk and Vitebsk. We should actively cooperate in studying the planet's polar regions: the Arctic and Antarctic,” Artur Chilingarov said. He also noted that the Russian side assists Belarus, when necessary, in developing the Antarctic program.

With regard to the practical benefits that Belarus may reap from having its own Antarctic station Belarus, Artur Chilingarov said: it will provide an opportunity to conduct a variety of applied research. In turn, the head of the International Sakharov Environmental University, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Loginov said that this year the Russian ship Akademik Fedorov might deliver a module of the Belarusian station to the Antarctic. The first weather report will mark the launch of the station.

The meeting with Mikhail Myasnikovich was also attended by the Director of the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Leonid Rudenko. The meeting participants exchanged gifts.

As was reported, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine previously planned to facilitate the exchange of scientific personnel in Antarctica.