The training ship Mircea is one of the most efficient, elegant and well-prepared ambassadors Romania has had in the last century, Prime Minister and Social Democratic leader Marcel Ciolacu said on Thursday at a ceremony marking the arrival of the iconic vessel at its home port.

"This year's voyage is an honorable addition to the rich history of the Mircea barque in the service of the Romanian Navy. Apart from the mission of familiarizing the young cadets with life at sea, this sail ship has once again successfully undertaken the role of ambassador of Romania. Looking at this incredible vessel that has been sailing the waters of the world for 85 years now, I believe with all my heart that it is one of the most efficient, elegant and well-prepared ambassadors our country has had in the last century. Let each of you appreciate the training ship Mircea as it deserves, let us take pride in its extraordinary history and fully use its potential," the prime minister said at the homecoming ceremony for the three-masted training ship to the military port of Constanta, after an international training march through the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Ciolacu emphasized the difficult mission of the crew, and particularly of the commanders.

"It's during such sail training voyages on the seas and oceans of the world that career foundations are shaped and laid for a new generation of future officers. I am convinced that life aboard the Mircea barque is full of challenges and only inborn sailors appreciate that. (...) You are true sailors who, in the 43 days of the trip, succeeded in building a united crew, a crew with well-defined principles and values, ready to take on other equally complicated missions in the future, and this is actually the greatest achievement. You had a difficult mission, as are all the voyages aboard Mircea," the head of the government said. AGERPRES (RO - author: Catalina Matei, editor: Antonia Nita; EN - editor: Simona Klodnischi)