FROM SEA DEPTHS TO IONOSPHERE

From Cooperation to Fellowship

Sharing work in order to achieve common goals.
Two answers to one question.

        -"In your opinion, what is the significance of the international cooperation of Arctic explorers from different countries for the comprehensive exploration of the Arctic Ocean, its seas and its coasts?" - this is the question our reporter asked some prominent foreign Arctic explorers.

Odd Rogne,
International Scientific Arctic Committee
Executive Secretary
(Norway)

         "To begin with, there is a history of a bilateral relationship with Russia in the common exploration of the Arctic Regions. There exists an official agreement, which was signed in the 1980s. As one of the leaders, I took part in the discussions, the signing and the further execution of the exploration projects as early as in the days of the Soviet Union.         The realization of some of the programmes for the exploration of the Russian Arctic Regions has been going on up to the present day. Besides, new bilateral projects are being worked out at the moment and the Arctic Institute of Norway, which I headed for a number of years, is taking an active part in them. There are 14 new projects in the field of hydrography, oceanology, meteorology, the exploration of minerals, ecology and many other projects for the exploration of the seas of the Arctic Ocean and of the Arctic Regions. Including the projects, which were started earlier and are still going on now, there are 20 projects altogether. It is for the realization of all these projects that the State Research Council of Norway is allocating money.         The principal focus of our common activities with the Russian polar explorers, with whom we have formed a good and stable relationship throughout the years, is territorially connected with the NorthWest region of Russia. This is quite obvious since we are neighbours. It is both an honour and a pleasure to share work in order to achieve common goals."

Matti Saarnisto,
Geological Service of Finland,
Ph.D.

         "Arctic Regions are constantly exerting considerable, if not decisive influence on the meteorological situation of the entire planet and on the biology of the world's water and air basins. For the northern countries, the Arctic Region not only defines their weather and their climate, but it also gives birth to a whole range of extremely complicated, diverse and vital problems in ecological, economic and social spheres. The only way to find optimum solutions is to unite the efforts of all the countries concerned. All of the participants of the international advisory meeting of Arctic Region explorers, which took place in St. Petersburg, came to this agreement.         International scientific cooperation of the Arctic Region countries has acquired a special significance in the environmental field. The extensive experience which has been acquired by our Russian colleagues in the organization and technology of Arctic exploration, their unique equipment for maritime and overland Arctic expeditions, as well as having the longest coastline of the Arctic Ocean all make Russian scientists permanent, indispensable and desired participants in the projects for exploration of the Arctic Region.         The range of ecological studies, which are being carried out by Finland at the moment or are being planned for the near future in cooperation with Russia, Norway and Sweden, is very extensive. Suffice it to say that the studies, which started back in 1990, explore the movements of air masses, the ratio of water vapour and the level of ultraviolet radiation in the Arctic strato- and topospheres. Also of great importance are the multiple hydrographic, ecological, biochemical and geographical study projects, the observation of dynamics and the prognostication of the changes in the water and seabed faunas under the influence of enhanced oil and gas extraction on the shelves and along the coasts of the Arctic Ocean. I'm happy to note that international cooperation is developing into fellowship".