site.btaDefence Innovation Centre to Guarantee Bulgaria's Strategic Independence - Deputy Innovation Minister

The Defence Innovation Center will ensure Bulgaria's strategic independence through dual-use research and development, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Martin Danovski said here on Wednesday. He was speaking at the opening of a conference on "Technological Autonomy of the EU: Strategies, Financing, and Implementation," organized by the Sofia Security Forum and the Spanish Embassy in Sofia.

He said further that the Centre will support international cooperation in the field of defence and security, while synchronizing projects with NATO and EU standards.

On June 26, the Council of Ministers adopted a decision to establish a Defence Innovation Centre as part of Sofia Tech Park. Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said at the time that it will aim to develop technological capabilities for innovation in dual-use technologies and will initially focus on unmanned aerial vehicles and other means related to national security. 

Danovski said that at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, his team are developing a comprehensive approach to the new challenges. The goal is to position Bulgaria not just as a participant, but as an important player in regional and global value chains. "Our strategic approach is based on three main pillars. The first is to maintain strategic forecasting to guide our decisions. The second is targeted investment in critical technologies - technologies that will shape our common future. The third is a sustainable approach through public-private partnerships," he explained.