Bulgaria has joined a joint declaration on cooperation in a key industry that will have a profound impact on the future of the European economy. The declaration on cooperation in the field of the semiconductor industry (Semicon Declaration) in the EU was officially presented to the European Commission in Brussels. The Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, Georgi Angelov, representing the Bulgarian side, also attended the ceremony.
The declaration aims to strengthen the European Union's policies in the field of semiconductors, an industry of strategic importance for the economic independence and technological leadership of the continent. Particular attention is paid to the upcoming update of the EU Chips Act 2.0, a key legislative act that aims to stimulate the development of the European semiconductor industry.
The semiconductor declaration is supported by all 27 European Union member states, which demonstrates the consensus and common vision of the member states for the future of this industry. This was announced by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) on its official page.
With the creation of the Semiconductor Declaration, the member states are forming a semiconductor coalition, an ambitious alliance that aims to guarantee supply chains in this vital industry. The coalition will strive to develop innovative technologies throughout the value chain, support start-ups and growing businesses, and ensure close coordination in this key European industry.
The Semiconductor Declaration calls on the European Commission to focus on three key goals when updating the European Chips Act. The atmosphere in front of the European Commission in Brussels was palpable with anticipation, as the future of this industry is in the spotlight.
The first goal is prosperity - strengthening the European semiconductor ecosystem with the aim of generating economic and social value. The second goal is indispensability - maintaining and strengthening leadership in critical points of the value chain. The third and final goal is sustainability - ensuring capacity, supply chain stability and technological autonomy.
It is crucial that the definition of these goals be influenced by end markets such as artificial intelligence, the automotive industry, energy and defense. This will ensure that semiconductor policies meet the real needs of the economy.
In addition, the declaration sets out five policy priorities that will guide the coalition's efforts. The first priority is the ecosystem - strengthening cooperation between industry, research, small and medium-sized enterprises, and start-ups. The second priority is investments - coordinating funding from the European Union and national funding, accelerating the approval of strategic projects and mobilizing private capital. The third priority is skills - building a solid European talent base in the field of semiconductor technologies. The fourth priority is sustainability - promoting environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and circular semiconductor manufacturing. The fifth and final priority is international partnerships - cooperation with global partners who share the same views, while maintaining European strategic autonomy.
Bulgaria's vision in the field of semiconductors, according to Deputy Minister Angelov, quoted by the MIG press center, is focused on development in chip design and the creation of intellectual property (IP). In addition, the construction of productions in the post-production (backend) operations is planned - assembling, testing and casing of already manufactured chips, as well as the production of equipment for chip manufacturing. It is also planned to strengthen research activities, education and training, the integration of artificial intelligence, taking into account Bulgaria's established and recognizable position in information technology.
"The Semiconductor Coalition lays the foundations for European cooperation of a new type, a cooperation that is built on European achievements (technological, scientific, political) and that is in line with current and upcoming challenges", said Deputy Minister Angelov.