Vladimir Putin visits Franz Josef Land archipelago

Vladimir Putin paid a visit to the island of Alexandra Land in the Franz Josef Land archipelago, where he inspected the results of efforts to clean up environmental damage to the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.
The President toured an exhibition at the Russian Arctic National Park, inspected technology used to study permafrost, and spoke to scientists conducting research in the Arctic territory. He also helped to launch a weather balloon which operates on the basis of the GLONASS satellite navigation system.

The President was accompanied by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Sergei Donskoi, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology, and Transport Sergei Ivanov.

During a meeting on the comprehensive development of the Arctic held that day, President Putin ordered the government to speed up preparation of a programme for social and economic development in the region, and tasked the Defence Ministry and the Federal Security Service with safeguarding Russia’s national interests in the Arctic. The President also stressed that Russia is willing to work together with foreign partners on various aspects of development in the Arctic.

Source (text and photo): kremlin.ru