ST. PETERSBURG, 28 January (BelTA) - The new complex of the Vostok station in Antarctica will become a major venue for scientific programs of Belarus and Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said as he attended a ceremony to launch a new wintering complex at the Vostok station in Antarctica on 28 January, BelTA has learned.
According to Vladimir Putin, Russian scientists have been working in Antarctica since 1955. They have made hundreds of discoveries. Today five Russian research stations operate on the continent all year round.
“The new wintering complex is, perhaps, the best gift to mark the 70th Russian Antarctic expedition, which is to start this autumn,” the president said. “I am convinced that the new station will strengthen cooperation between scientists from different countries. It will become an open platform for addressing urgent issues in environmental studies and, of course, for promoting joint scientific and innovative programs within the framework of the Union State of Russia and Belarus.”
Belarus has been implementing its Antarctic program for a number of years. With the support of the head of state, the country began its journey in Antarctica in 2006. The Belarusian research station has been under construction in East Antarctica since 2015. Its first stage was completed in 2021. The second stage is slated for launch by 2026.
According to the plan, Belarusian researchers were also supposed to take part in the video link. However, as Vladimir Putin explained, weather conditions did not allow them to join the event.
“We will definitely work together, as the participants of the 16th Belarusian and 69th Russian Antarctic expeditions are working shoulder to shoulder today,” the Russian leader said.
