Bulgaria prepares to become a key partner in the new European ocean observation program

Bulgaria is ready to take an active role in the new European initiative for ocean observation, aiming to be an equal participant in building a common scientific network. This was stated by the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Georgi Valchev, during a meeting with Charlina Vicheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission.

According to European Commission representatives, closer cooperation in the field of oceanography and marine environment observation will be of critical importance in the coming years. The creation of a unified data exchange system is fundamental for the protection of ecosystems, as well as for the sustainable development and competitiveness of the European continent.

Minister Valchev emphasized that global challenges facing the marine environment cannot be solved by individual countries, but require the unification of scientific capacity and infrastructure. He recalled Bulgaria's successes in polar research, achieved through the joint efforts of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia University, the Naval Academy in Varna, and other institutions.

An important tool for Bulgarian science remains the research vessel "St. St. Cyril and Methodius," which allows the country to collect data not only from the Black Sea but also from the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, and Antarctica. Participation in the new European initiative will open doors for Bulgarian scientists into international scientific networks and will allow the country to contribute its expertise to the future "European Ocean Pact."