site.btaProjects in Scientific Sphere Should Be Administratively Simplified, Says Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory Director

Projects in the scientific and research sphere should be administratively simplified, Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory Director Nikola Petrov said during a local conference as part of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference took place at the BTA National Press Club here on Tuesday.

He stressed that conducting public procurement for projects related to science is inapplicable, adding that for a scientific and research activity, specific equipment is needed in order to achieve a specific scientific result. In this regard, according to him, conducting public procurement is absurd. "We have found the necessary equipment, for example, in the US and suddenly they tell us to make a public procurement. How can the US participate in a project with a public procurement? This is impossible," Petrov pointed out.

He stated that the observatory in Rozhen was visited by 15,000 people during the summer in 2024, which brought in BGN 100,000 in revenue. "We have been waiting for four years for a project to be implemented for the road to the observatory, which is difficult to access," Petrov emphasized. In 2018-2019, the observatory began construction of a new telescope for the first time in the last 45 years, he also said. The equipment was officially unveiled in 2023.

Scientists have developed a modern meteorological station, which is open to the public, Petrov noted, adding that the new projects are related to space processes for climate change. "At the end of the summer, the astronomical observatory will be included in a global network for observing cosmic particles", he said, with the project worth nearly BGN 200,000.

BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.