Balgarianovinite.com At an official ceremony marking the 145th anniversary of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna, held at the Festival and Congress Centre, the Academy’s Rector Flotilla Admiral Prof. Kalin Kalinov said that the maritime school is currently involved in more than 20 projects under various EU programmes and has signed 30 cooperation agreements with foreign universities.
Among the guests attending the event were Defence and Security Policy Advisor to the President Vice Admiral Mitko Petev, Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, heads of foreign naval academies, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) Director General Milen Mitev, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences President Corresponding Member Evelina Slavcheva, diplomats and senior military officers, representatives of national and local authorities, academia, the maritime business sector, and non-governmental organisations.
In his address to the forum’s guests, Kalinov said that there is hardly a sea, ocean, or port where graduates of the Naval Academy have not set foot, adding that they have now also reached the icy shores of Antarctica.
He noted that the Academy is establishing itself as a leading centre not only in Bulgaria but also internationally. He highlighted the institution’s close cooperation with the Bulgarian Navy.
Kalinov added that the Academy is currently implementing more than 20 projects across a wide range of fields, from security and defence to high technologies and artificial intelligence. He placed particular emphasis on the Erasmus programme, saying that the Naval Academy is the largest user in Bulgaria of its student exchange opportunities. Nearly every third cadet has completed practical training or studies at foreign companies or universities. At present, cadets from four countries are studying at the Academy. Kalinov added that the institution is a member of the International Association of Maritime Universities and maintains more than 30 cooperation agreements with foreign higher education institutions.
An address from Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova on the occasion was read by Vice Admiral Petev. The message stated that the Academy educates true leaders who defend Bulgaria’s interests and establish themselves as worthy representatives of the country.
An address from Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said that the Naval Academy consistently upholds high standards, and its history is one of continuity, patriotism, and dedication. The Academy is a symbol of prestige and modern education recognised internationally, the message added.
Kalinov awarded honorary badges to former heads of the institution, including Rear Admiral (Ret.) Rumen Popov, Captain First Rank (Ret.) Stanko Stankov, and Flotilla Admiral (Ret.) Prof. Boyan Mednikarov. Serving senior officers, including Vice Admiral Mitko Petev, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces Command Rear Admiral Galin Manev, and Deputy Commander of the Navy Flotilla Admiral Vanyo Musinski were also awarded.
The Academy also honoured BAS President Evelina Slavcheva, members of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, public officials including the mayors of Varna and Shumen, and the head of the Naval Hospital in Varna, Colonel Prof. Ivaylo Vazharov. Plaques were presented to the Director Generals of BTA, Kiril Valchev, and BNR, Milen Mitev. At 145, Naval Academy in Varna Works on 20+ European Projects, Has 30 Foreign Partnerships 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-05-13 19:42:10 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law