An official ceremony for the handover of the post between the former Minister Valentin Mundrov and the new caretaker Minister Georgi Sharkov took place at the Ministry of Electronic Governance. The two stood side by side and emphasized the symbolic, but also very practical weight of continuity in a sector where trust and sustainability are key.
Both Mundrov and Sharkov agreed that the ministry's policies should be developed consistently, and not "reset" with each change of leadership. Emphasis was placed on the need to bring to fruition the initiatives started in the field of e-governance, cybersecurity and overall digital transformation, so that citizens and businesses can see real results, and not just new concepts.
Minister Georgi Sharkov thanked Valentin Mundrov for the work done and for the consistent efforts to upgrade electronic services and strengthen cybersecurity. He stressed that he does not intend to "start from scratch", but to build on the foundation already built: ""I will rely on what has been done so far as a foundation for continuing the reforms"", was his message to the ministry team.
As a main priority in the short term, Minister Sharkov outlined the preparation and conduct of fair, transparent and publicly controlled elections, with strictly guaranteed security and trust in machine voting. In this regard, the Ministry of Electronic Governance continues the intensified work in two key directions – certification of voting machines and upgrading the video surveillance system in the precinct election commissions. The importance of including a wide range of civic organizations and independent experts in the certification process was also emphasized in order to increase public trust and minimize the risk of manipulation.
Strengthening the national framework for cybersecurity also remains among the priorities. With the adopted amendments to the Cyber Security Act, better conditions are created to protect critical public and economic sectors from growing cyber threats. In parallel with this, the implementation of the project for the construction of a national centralized cyber security system continues, which will ensure coordinated and effective monitoring, as well as rapid response to cyber incidents in the public sector.
Work is also progressing on the creation of a national digital wallet, in line with European requirements. The architectural framework and the draft Law on the European Digital Identity Wallet have already been published for public discussion, with the aim of developing the process transparently and with the active participation of citizens, experts and businesses. Thus, Bulgaria is preparing to implement the European model for secure digital identity.
In the context of interaction with European institutions, it was recalled that after the steps taken by the regular government on the reasoned opinion of the European Commission on the implementation of the Public Procurement Directive and the intensive dialogue with Brussels, our country has received positive feedback on the implementation of the commitments made. Contact with the EC continues with the aim of finally concluding the initiated infringement procedure.
Minister Sharkov confirmed that regular meetings with the ICT sector and the entire innovation and digital ecosystem around the ministry will be maintained as a practice. The aim is to ensure a constant exchange of experience, to hear the professional perspective of the industry and to guarantee that the policies in the field of e-governance are both expert and useful for citizens and businesses.
At the end of the ceremony, Valentin Mundrov wished success to his successor and expressed confidence that under the leadership of Georgi Sharkov, the Ministry of Electronic Governance will continue to develop electronic services and cybersecurity in a responsible and consistent manner. ""I am convinced that the set priorities will be built on, not forgotten"", he said, emphasizing the importance of continuity in such a sensitive and dynamic sector.