Russian scientists plan to conduct joint research with China on Svalbard, and in the future, the BRICS countries may create a scientific center in the Arctic archipelago, said Denis Moiseev, Deputy director of science at the Murmansk Marine Biological Institute (MMBI).
"Last year, we signed an agreement with the Institute of Polar Research of China on research in the Arctic, including in the Svalbard archipelago. We are currently preparing a joint grant application to the Russian Science Foundation within the framework of Russian-Chinese projects," Moiseev said on the sidelines of a conference dedicated to research at Svalbard.
The expert noted that the MMBI and the Chinese Institute of Polar Research are discussing the scientific exchange for joint expeditions.
"In the future [it is possible to] create a BRICS scientific center in Svalbard," Moiseev added.
According to him, the next meeting of the BRICS working group on cooperation in oceanic and polar research zones will be held in Murmansk on June 15-16 this year, interfax.ru reported.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
