site.btaDeputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev Calls for More Boldness in Europe’s Future Dialogue

The capacity of private funds is immense, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev on Friday during the opening of a high-level panel, titled "Innovation as a Cornerstone of EU and CEE Competitiveness". The panel marked the final day of the five-day Green Transition Forum 5.0: Competitiveness and Innovation in Central and Eastern Europe, held at Sofia Event Center. The event is an initiative of the Green Transition Forum and Dir.bg, with Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) as a media partner.

According to Donchev, there is a lack of public momentum and meaningful dialogue around the new economy. “There is no conversation happening about the new economy,” he said, emphasizing that while the drive for success is a powerful force, how and when society discusses and motivates it remains unclear. He argued that society traditionally lacks the courage needed for such discussions.

Donchev said that artificial intelligence (AI) will be one of the key drivers of competitiveness for the economies that adopt it wisely, but warned that it will also bring significant disruptions to the labor market. “There are serious questions — what professional opportunities will be available for people affected by AI? But those who use it will have the advantage,” he noted.

He added that while Europe focuses on regulating new technologies, the US and China are heavily investing in the latest models. “I’m not saying there should be no regulation,” Donchev clarified, “but we need a balance between control and innovation.”

“I wish we were bolder,” he said. Donchev acknowledged that skepticism toward progress is natural, especially when it comes to creative destruction, but insisted that Europe needs to step out of its comfort zone when talking about the future. “Fear is not a shelter or a safe place,” he concluded.