site.btaInnovation Minister Attends European Space Agency Council Meeting

Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva is taking part in the ministerial council meeting of the European Space Agency. It takes place in the framework of the 2023 Space Summit in Seville. Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Georgi Angelov is also attending the event.

Cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) increases investment in Bulgaria's economy and its competitiveness through participation in new programmes together with other European countries. The dynamic development of the European space sector allows companies to grow faster, attract private and institutional investors, and introduce business innovations using space data for the benefit of society and the economy, Stoycheva said at the ministerial meeting.

She highlighted several priorities: creating an accelerator for companies towards a green, sustainable and safe future for the European space economy, equitable access to space and space exploration.

"Bulgaria has more than 50 years of experience in space and the capacity to contribute to the development of space technologies in Europe. As a state cooperation with ESA, Bulgaria is realising important partnerships in space technology and the space economy, which contributes to strengthening the capacity building of our space ecosystem," Stoycheva underlined.

According to her, among the Agency's projects that Bulgarian companies have participated in are those for the development of information systems for monitoring hydropower reservoirs, the construction of space greenhouses and space food production, the development of communication satellite terminals, nanosatellite power systems, ground-based monitoring of agricultural and forest areas, and many others.

"At the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, we are actively working to encourage businesses to participate in more space programmes," the Minister further said. According to Stoycheva, Bulgaria is striving for associate membership in ESA and is steadily increasing its contribution to the Agency. Stoycheva was adamant that the space sector is key because it is a driver of new technologies, innovation and technological breakthroughs.

"To encourage the participation of SMEs and start-ups in such projects, we need all member states to actively participate in EU space programmes. Developing new services and applications to support the implementation of different policy priorities will promote European competitiveness and bring Europe to a new position in the global market," Stoycheva added.

She said the ministerial meeting would reinforce joint commitments by member states for targeted common action and ensure European leadership in space.