During an official meeting of the Competitiveness Council, held on July 17, 2025, the Bulgarian delegation strongly supported the initiative to significantly increase funding for research and development in the European Union. Minister Krasimir Valchev presented the national position, outlining the importance of creating leading research centers in key technological areas.
Among the priority directions were artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnologies, and space technologies. Valchev emphasized that successful development of scientific potential requires building strong innovation ecosystems around academic institutions.
As a concrete example of an effective scientific model, the minister presented the INSAIT initiative at Sofia University. Created in 2021, this research center has established itself as a successful platform for attracting global talents and retaining Bulgarian scientists.
EU member states demonstrated unanimity regarding the need for in-depth cooperation in the research and development sphere. They confirmed their readiness to develop shared research infrastructure and expand joint scientific capacity.
The proposed doubling of the budget is viewed as a strategic investment in the future of European science, which has the potential to strengthen the union's competitiveness on a global scale.