Sofia, Nov 11 (BTA/GNA) – A traditional ceremony was held on Friday at which President Rumen Radev presented the national flag to the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition which next week departs to the Bulgarian polar base on Livingston Island.
At the ceremony Radev said the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions are one of the most significant achievements of the Bulgarian research community in the past couple of decades. He said the fact that Bulgaria is one of the just 29 countries who have received and keep the right to participate in the decision-making process regarding Antarctica is a cause for national pride and also constitutes solid international capital.
A Bulgaria military research ship Sts Cyril and Methodius will make its first journey as part of the work of the expedition, carrying 21 people under the command of Captain Nikolai Danailov. The ship was baptized by prominent Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova.
At the ceremony Radev said that the implementation of the national programme for polar research strengthens the research ambitions and capabilities of the Bulgarian Antarctic researchers. The President thanked the Defence Ministry and the Navy for making available the ship for the needs of the Antarctic expedition.
BTA/GNA