site.btaBulgaria, ESA Cooperation Delivers 53 Space Projects Worth over EUR 10 Million

Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Georgi Angelov said a total of 160 project proposals have been submitted, and 53 Bulgarian projects with a combined budget of over EUR 10 million have been implemented in areas such as air quality monitoring, agriculture and forestry, waste management, maritime surveillance, energy systems and space food as a result of Bulgaria’s cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), the Ministry of Innovation and Growth press service said here Thursday.

Angelov took part in the meeting of the ESA Council at ministerial level held in the German city of Bremen. He said that Bulgaria is working to ensure the active participation of all stakeholders in the national space ecosystem – companies, universities, research centres and public institutions.

“To build a competitive and sustainable base that will allow our country to move to the next stage of partnership – associated membership,” Angelov said. During the meeting he noted that Bulgaria aims to become a key player in value chains in space technologies by providing high-tech products and value-added services.

Angelov also confirmed that Bulgaria backs the expanding role of the European Space Agency as a dynamic coordinator of innovation.

“Our country welcomes the integrated concept of the agency’s Director General. It has the potential to turn Europe into an attractive global hub of the rapidly developing space economy and to strengthen international cooperation and public engagement,” Angelov said.