Friends!

Friends, do you know that Ukraine is an Antarctic state? Everything started 21 years ago. On this day, Britain transferred its station "Faraday" to Ukraine. Above the station raised the Ukrainian flag and it was renamed into “Akademik Vernadsky".

After the Soviet collapse, Russia declared itself as the legal successor of all antarctic stations of the USSR, in Ukraine had none. In November 1993, Britain decided to transfer its station, which was located on Galindez Island of the Argentine archipelago to one of the states that have not had stations on the continent. This proposal came to our embassy. Then, Ukraine's ambassador to London was Academician Sergei Komisarenko, the biologist, who as a scientist did everything for Ukraine to gain its own Antarctic base.

And it was not even a "gift." For 10 years, Ukrainian researchers provided all the information they learned to British. Now the collaboration continues: UK helps technology and Ukrainian share data.

What do Ukrainian do at the Antarctic base? First, climate monitoring and observations of the ozone hole over Antarctica. Second, studies of mineral deposits. In particular, the Ukrainian had already found ore and coal near the station. Third, the study of changes in Earth's magnetic field, ionosphere and space.

The greatest success achieved Ukrainian polar biologists, who studied life on the continent and under water. Imagine, from Antarctic microorganisms, they created a cure for cancer and inflammation. Some of these drugs are now undergoing clinical trials. But Burns ointment produced on the base, has been already used in the area ATO!

Hibernate for "Akademik Vernadsky" from 10 to 15 polar, depending on funding. The team is divided into "researchers" who conduct researches and "technicians", which provide livelihoods of the station.

Every year the Ukrainian Antarctic base is visited by 4000 tourists. This is not surprising - there is something to see! For example, in 2011, at the station "Academik Vernadsky" was built the chapel of St. Vladimir, which is the southernmost places of worship in the world.

Friends! Because of the existence of the base " Akademik Vernadsky" Ukraine is among the 29 countries eligible to vote and veto in international decisions concerning Antarctica. This means that in future Ukraine can claim a portion of local resources. A continent, as we know, is rich in various minerals. These things we need to be proud of and always maintain. Our explorers are our pride.