Antarctica: Joint Inspection US and Russian Federation

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

January 21, 2012

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The United States and the Russian Federation will send a joint team to inspect foreign stations, installations and equipment in Antarctica from January 23 to January 28, 2012. The inspection will be conducted pursuant to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and its Environmental Protocol. The State Department and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will co-lead the inspection, which is the first joint inspection conducted by either country.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. Antarctic Program) and the Russian Antarctic Expedition will support the joint inspection.

The U.S.-Russian team will review adherence by Treaty Parties to their obligations, including with respect to limiting environmental impacts, ensuring that Antarctica is used only for peaceful purposes and that Parties honor the prohibition on measures of a military nature. The United States last conducted an Antarctic inspection in 2006.

The Department of State coordinates U.S. policy on Antarctica with NSF and other federal agencies. It leads diplomatic efforts within the framework established by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, signed in Washington, to ensure Antarctica’s status as a continent reserved for peace and science.

For further information on the Antarctic Treaty, visit http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/rpts/ant/

ENDS