Gebze, Turkey, November 8 (BTA) - A delegation of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI), led by BAI's Chairman, Prof. Christo Pimpirev, visited the Marmara Research Center Polar Research Institute (MAM KARE) under the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) in Gebze, Northwestern Turkey, participants in the meeting said.

The delegation included the Rector of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Flotilla Admiral Prof. Dr Boyan Mednikarov, BAI Science and Logistics Coordinator Dragomir Mateev, and Oleg Vassilev, a future commander of the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island in the South Shetlands. The Turkish side was represented by the TUBITAK MAM President, Prof. Dr Ahmet Ahmet Yozgatligil, the MAM KARE President, Prof. Dr Burcu Ozsoy, Assoc. Prof. Dr Hasan Yavasoglu and other MAM KARE researchers.

Research cooperation topped the agenda of the meeting. The hosts shared their plans to set up an Antarctic base on Horseshoe Island. Turkish polar explorers have visited the nearby Bulgarian Antarctic Base and have been excellently impressed by Bulgarian hospitality. The sides are planning to cooperate and assist each other in future polar expeditions and joint projects.

The capabilities of the ships that Bulgaria and Turkey intend to deploy for polar research were also discussed. Flotilla Admiral Mednikarov presented the capabilities of Bulgaria's first military research/survey vessel (RSV) "Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii". Turkey presented the capabilities of the salvage vessel "TCG ISIN", which is to be used as a research/survey vessel in Antarctica.

The Bulgarian delegation also conferred with Rear Admiral Ibrahim Ozdem Kocer, Commander of the Turkish Navy Sea Area North. DD/LG
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