The President said, in particular, in his message:
“I congratulate all polar explorers on their traditional holiday – the winter solstice.
This excellent tradition began half a century ago with the signing of a key international agreement – the Antarctic Treaty, which paved the way for active exploration of the South Pole and opened up new opportunities for international cooperation, and exchange of information and experience.
Russia’s specialists in Antarctica today have a whole number of important missions, among them, expanding our scientific research presence in the region and using advanced technology to study the region’s geological and climatic peculiarities and preserve its unique ecosystem.
I am sure that your professionalism and enthusiasm will help you to continue to enrich Russian and world science with new knowledge on this remote part of our planet.
I wish you good health, good fortune and new discoveries.”
The day of the winter solstice is traditionally celebrated internationally as the professional holiday of Antarctic explorers.