Russian and French presidents adopt joint Arctic research declaration

At the St. Petersburg 300th anniversary celebrations, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Jacques Chirac have adopted a joint declaration on Arctic research.

It says, among other things, that Russia and France believe that the protection of the vital interests of the peoples of our planet is an important component of the policy of sustainable development and environmental protection, to which the two countries attach a special importance, the Kremlin press service has told RIA Novosti.

Pointing with satisfaction to the development of the St. Petersburg-based State Polar Academy, the Russian and French authorities declare their adherence to the continuation of their on-going co-operation, the desire to develop scientific and university-level exchange, in this way promoting the creation of a common environment in the sphere of higher education and research work between Russia and France.

Russia and France attach much importance to the implementation of personnel training programs for Russia's Extreme North on the basis of the Polar Academy with support of the French Foreign Ministry. These programs are a component of privileged partnership, which the two countries maintain in the field of administrative co-operation and state reform.