On 14 June, 2013 the second stage of the International Swiss-Russian research expedition “Trans-Eurasia flight Leman Lake Baikal” started in Pskov. Organizers and participants gave a press conference for journalists from federal and regional media in the Office of the Governor of the Pskov region.

The initiator of the expedition, the deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Ecology, the chairman of the FPLB Board of Trustees M. Slipenchuk welcomed Pskov colleagues and told the story of meeting and cooperation with Frederick Paulsen, who took part in the expedition “Mirs at Lake Baikal”. He stressed that the ULM expedition – is a continuation of large-scale work on the protection of Lake Baikal and the development of science. “Europe and Asia are two parts of the vast continent. Today we are launching the Russian stage of the expedition. This expedition, besides scientific research, - is a new experience of international cooperation in the field of science. This is very important in the Year of the environment – said the deputy. – The ULM will help to assess the anthropogenic pollution in the research area. The expedition will boost not only to the development of science, but also allow us to look at new perspective on the current state and the environment. “In conclusion, M. Slipenchuk invited all comers, as well as representatives of public organizations, administrations and authorities to take part in the expedition.

The representative of the Honorary Consulate of Russia in Lausanne (Switzerland), M. Krasnopyorov told about the participants of the project, about the ended European part of the expedition and the work on Lake Leman and planned for July-August 2013 comprehensive study of Lake Baikal. It is planned that the expedition will last until 2015 and will include seasonal studies. He also noted the importance of the agreement between Head of the department of Environmental Management of Geographical Faculty of Lomonossov Moscow State University M.Slipenchuk and Head of the International biopharmaceutical company FERRING Frederik Paulsen on mutual cooperation between the leading universities of Russia and Switzerland.

Vice-President of the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal B. Tsyrenov told the audience about the Fund activity and noted a symbolic sense of the expedition start in Pskov, as Peipsi water pool – is one of the largest (the fourth largest) in Europe.

Head of the Plenipotentiary representative of the Republic of Buryatia to the President of Russian Federation A. Lekhatinov welcomed the participants on behalf of the Head of the Republic of Buryatia and told about the upcoming changes in the law on the lake Baikal. “In order the lawmakers to act correctly, and people’s life on the shores of Lake Baikal to be changed for the better, it is necessary to rely on the results of scientific research”, - he said.

Deputy Chairman of the Pskov region Council of Deputies V. Kalenskiy welcomed those present and thanked the organizers and participants of the expedition. He expressed his readiness to accept the expedition on the Pskov area to explore Lake Peipsi.

The pilot François Bernard (France), the head of navigation part of the expedition, described the flight from Switzerland to Russia and the made studies. In particular, atmospheric studies using laser spectral camera were conducted. He told also about the difficulties that the expedition participants had faced: the fog and clouds sometimes impede scientific research, sometimes they had to land not on the special take-off places, but on rough terrain.

After the press conference, there took place a meeting of the organizers and participants of the expedition with the students and teachers in a large auditorium of Faculty of Geography, Pskov State University.
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