site.btaBulgaria, Turkiye to Deepen Antarctic Cooperation - Prof. Christo Pimpirev

The cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkiye in Antarctica will continue to deepen, it holds great potential, said Prof. Christo Pimpirev in a BTA interview. Bulgaria is one of the 11 EU countries that have a base in Antarctica. The country is increasingly becoming a regional centre for Antarctic activities, he recalled.

Earlier in January, Prof. Pimpirev and Iglika Trifonova presented the book Christo Pimpirev: The Antarctic Hitchhiker at the BTA National Press Club in the Turkish capital Ankara. A little earlier, the Bulgarian Embassy in Turkiye, in collaboration with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK), hosted an exhibition tracing the cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkiye in the field of polar research.

When asked whether Bulgaria plans to deepen its Antarctic cooperation with Turkiye, given Turkiye’s significant investments in recent years, Prof. Pimpirev noted that the cooperation, which began over a decade ago with the signing of an agreement with the Turkish Polar Institute, will continue to strengthen.

"We are glad that Turkiye has very serious intentions for research on the icy continent, and they also place great emphasis on involving young people—students and schoolchildren. In addition, many high-achieving scientists from various fields are traveling to Antarctica to work alongside Bulgarian researchers, which has led to joint publications in highly reputable scientific journals, such as Lithos, a geology journal. For example, there’s a joint publication by Turkish researcher and Bulgarian Associate Professor Stefan Velev that was highly praised by a distinguished committee before being published. Our cooperation, therefore, extends beyond logistics and the exchange of scientists, resulting in practical outcomes recognized by the global scientific community," Prof. Pimpirev noted.

"It is clear that our efforts to have top-class scientists work together are paying off," he added, emphasizing the importance of logistics cooperation between the two countries.

"We have a research vessel that transports materials for their two facilities on Horseshoe Island. Their scientists continue to work at our polar base, just as ours work on Horseshoe Island, utilizing the ship that Turkiye rents annually from Chile. A breakthrough in another direction is the fact that one of our scientists participated in their Arctic expedition last August. While we cannot boast as many Arctic expeditions as Turkiye, this collaboration has allowed us to expand our presence in the Arctic. This means we are covering both polar regions, thanks to our excellent relations with Turkish polar researchers. So, there is a great future in our collaboration with our neighbours, and we are more than happy to assist them in obtaining full membership in important Antarctic institutions. For instance, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, where Turkiye is an associate member and we are a full member, requires consensus for accepting new members. We will be lobbying for them. It is good to be together with our neighbours in such reputable international institutions, as we mutually support one another," Prof. Pimpirev underscored.

He also reminded about the planned major meetings of the global Antarctic organizations. In 2028, Sofia is set to host a significant conference of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). At the same time, the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, another important organization, will convene.

"We have already agreed that the Council of Managers will be held in Istanbul. So, we will jointly organize two major international events dedicated to Antarctica, as neighbours," Prof. Pimpirev highlighted, adding that the proximity of the two cities makes it convenient for all countries.

Talking about the joint activities of Bulgarian Antarctic researchers with scientists from other nations, he described the cooperation as "extensive and diverse."

"We have worked with scientists from around the world—the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and almost every European country. Bulgaria is one of the 11 EU nations with a base in Antarctica, placing us in the top tier of polar research in the EU. We also have joint research with Argentina, Chile, Brazil, but primarily with European countries. Recently, we are increasingly becoming a regional hub (in the Balkans) for Antarctic activities. This year, for the first time, a Montenegrin scientist—a professor of marine biology—worked with us aboard our ship and at our base. We also facilitated Greece’s first Antarctic expedition, which included two women," Prof. Pimpirev said, adding that even countries as distant as the United Arab Emirates are entering Antarctic research, often thanks to Bulgarian Antarctic efforts.

Commenting on the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, Prof. Pimpirev stated that it is set to conclude on April 12, with the return of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) to the port of Varna.

As part of this year’s expedition, Bulgarian researchers are carrying out 11 projects. "Work is already underway on these, and we expect good results. The projects span biology, microbiology, and astronomy (studying solar activity). We are expanding the scope of our research. Many of the projects are related to studying human adaptation to these challenging conditions," he explained.

"Additionally, films are being shot on the island. One team has received funding from the National Film Centre, and another film is planned for National Geographic. We also have an educational programme designed to show not only the Bulgarian public but the world what Bulgarians are doing in Antarctica," he added.

When asked about new equipment on RSV 421 during the current expedition, Prof. Pimpirev noted that while scientific research is being conducted on board, the equipment remains basic for now. "We have two laboratories with essential tools for supporting research. However, our goal is to gradually modernize the ship’s equipment. We have strong ties with Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research and have assurances that we will soon start joint projects," the scientist concluded.

The research vessel RSV 421 departed from Varna on its third Antarctic expedition on November 7, 2024, and arrived at Livingston Island on December 28. The St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island opened for the new polar season on November 23, 2024.

BTA has a national press club on the vessel and at the Bulgarian Antarctic base. For the third consecutive year, BTA has sent a correspondent to Antarctica. This year's correspondent, Milena Ostrovska, arrived at the base on January 17. Her reports are freely accessible in English on the Bulgaria-Antarctica BTA's Log section of BTA's website and can be used for free with attribution to BTA.