site.btaInnovation Minister Stoycheva: Accession to the NASA's Artemis Accords Historic Moment for Bulgaria

Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva and NASA's Administrator, Bill Nelson, signed the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to NASA's Artemis Accords, which define the basic principles for global cooperation in outer space. Bulgaria became the 32nd country to join the Artemis Accords, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth said on Thursday.

The ceremony at NASA headquarters in Washington was also attended by Deputy Secretary of Innovation and Growth Vesselina Mincheva, Bulgaria's Ambassador to the US Georgi Panayotov, NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy and Sonata Coulter, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.

"Our accession to the Artemis Accords is a historic moment for Bulgaria. We believe that expanding the frontiers of human exploration in space with the support of deep technology and artificial intelligence will ensure peaceful and sustainable coexistence on Earth. For years, NASA has been a symbol of the pursuit of development through technology and the human spirit. We are honoured to join this partnership between countries for the peaceful journey into new territories," said Minister Stoycheva. 

"NASA is honoured to welcome Bulgaria as the 32nd nation to sign the Artemis Accords," said the Agency's head Nelson. "The global partnerships made in the Artemis era will create opportunities that benefit members of the Artemis generation, both in our countries and around the world. Bulgaria's leadership will help ensure that humanity's journey to the moon and beyond will be made peacefully, safely and transparently," he said.

The Artemis Accords aim to deepen international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space. 

"Our goal is to increase the competitiveness of Bulgarian industry, promote innovation and raise awareness of space programmes. Deepening our strategic cooperation with the United States will contribute significantly to the further development of space activities in our country and provide new opportunities for international partnerships," Minister Stoycheva said.