site.btaRomanian Scientists Invited to Join Next Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition

Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI) President Christo Pimpirev has invited Romanian scientists to join the 35th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition from late 2026 until early 2027 and work alongside their Bulgarian colleagues. He extended the invitation during a Bulgarian-Romanian Symposium on Scientific Research in Antarctica, which was taking place in Constanta on Wednesday.

Prof. Pimpirev said: "We have been neighbours for a very long time. We have lived together for centuries. That is why I am very happy that we are beginning to work together in the polar regions. It will be a pleasure to invite our Romanian fellow scientists to join the 35th expedition and work alongside Bulgarian researchers, both on board the ship and in the field. Not only biologists. Together with our Romanian colleagues, we can study the water, the sea and the land. Polar research is highly complex. That is why we are here – to get to know one another. We want to learn more about your institute and the opportunities to work together in the oceans."

Pimpirev, who leads the annual Bulgarian expeditions to Antarctica, recalled that the BAI began its activities in 1993, while its Romanian counterpart was established a year later. "We started at almost the same level. Today, Bulgaria is a hub for all Balkan countries that want to take part in research not only in Antarctica but also in the Arctic. These are extremely important regions of the Earth with enormous potential. We are not talking only about rare minerals. It is a unique opportunity to be there," the scientist said.

He noted that the BAI enjoys very good relations with Turkish researchers and that, for more than a decade, Turkish scientists have been visiting the Bulgarian Antarctic base. "They do not have a ship of their own. They charter one. In ten days, one of our Bulgarian colleagues will travel with our Turkish colleagues. We also cooperate with Greek researchers," Prof. Pimpirev added.

He expressed hope that Romania would soon expand its focus beyond the Black Sea to include the world's oceans.

"The oceans are also extremely important for humanity. They are larger than Antarctica. That is why we should expand our scientific research in the oceans. Let us do it together," the BAI President said.