Russia and France start joint Arctic research

Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Jacques Chirac have made a joint declaration on research in the Arctic region. As a Rosbalt correspondent was informed by the president's press office, one section of the declaration reads: 'Russia and France believe that the protection of the planet's indigenous peoples is an important factor for the development and protection of the environment, which is an important goal for both countries. The two leaders support the Russian State Polar Academy and the French Arctic Research Centre and Natural History Museum and their endeavours to raise the number of exchange students and researchers and in this way create a joint platform for higher education and scientific research in Russia and France.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is financing several training programmes at the Russian Polar Academy to prepare a team of researchers for travelling to the far north of Russia.