site.btaBulgarian Antarctic Institute Head Briefs Ambassadors on Bulgaria's Antarctic Activities

The Chair of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI), Prof. Christo Pimpirev, briefed ambassadors on the history of Bulgaria’s activities in Antarctica, BAI said on Wednesday.

A working lunch of the group of ambassadors speaking Bulgarian was held at the Residence of Germany, hosted by Ambassador Irene Maria Plank. The group was chaired by Slovenian Ambassador Natasha Vergel.

Ambassadors of Slovakia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Cambodia and Mongolia attended the meeting. As guest of honour, Prof. Pimpirev presented the development of Bulgaria’s Antarctic activities – from their beginning at the end of the 20th century to the country’s current achievements in polar research, including a modern scientific laboratory and a research vessel.

Pimpirev underlined Bulgaria’s role as a centre for logistical support and scientific cooperation for the entire Balkan region, as well as the participation of researchers from countries with year-round warm climates, such as Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador and the United Arab Emirates.

The ambassadors of Slovenia, Slovakia, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed interest in sending researchers to take part in the forthcoming 35th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, BAI added.

Speaking to journalists on February 17 at Sofia Airport upon his return from the Ice Continent, Prof. Pimpirev described the current 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition as the best organized so far.

"Every Antarctic expedition is different, the current 34th Bulgarian expedition for me is the best organized and has many novelties," said Pimpirev. The expedition has a very rich scientific program, with many foreign partners and for the first time, a ship flying the Bulgarian flag, and a scientific research one, reached the very continent of Antarctica. In this way, we proved to the whole world, to the maritime world, that we are a seafaring nation and can conduct scientific research in the most difficult conditions on Earth, in the Southern Ocean".