The government has proposed that the president give state honours to three people who helped bring the remains of Tsar Samuel back to Bulgaria, culture minister Evtim Miloshev said at a briefing. See our original report: Radev: Greece deal reached to bring back Tsar Samuil's remains.

Bulgaria and Greece agreed the return in a deal. Under it, Athens hands over the remains identified as those of Tsar Samuel, and Bulgaria gives Greece 48 church relics.

The cabinet proposes the Stara Planina Order, first class, for Valentin Poryazov, Bulgaria's ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Greece. It proposes the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius with necklace for Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski and Assoc. Prof. Boni Petrunova.

Miloshev said the return of the remains is an event of national importance, coming after decades of work by scholars and institutions and of Bulgarian-Greek cooperation. He called it an act that restores historical memory and shows due respect to Tsar Samuel, who ruled from 997 to 1014 and was one of Bulgaria's greatest rulers. He said the three men and women combine professional responsibility, care for cultural and historical heritage, archaeology and culture in keeping national memory alive.

"This award honours not only their work, but also respect for the memory and history of Bulgaria," Miloshev said.

Greek archaeologist Prof. Nikolaos Moutsopoulos found the remains in 1969 in the Basilica of St Achillios on Small Prespa Lake. Athens handed the remains identified as those of Tsar Samuel to Sofia, and Bulgaria gave Greece 48 church relics. The remains arrived from Greece on 3 October on the military transport plane "Spartan".