Bulgaria has earned its place in Europe's push to build up space power, prime minister Rumen Radev said in Brussels at the Euronews defence and space summit.

He pointed to the country's long record in space research, science and technology, citing Bulgarian firm EnduroSat as an example. In just the past few years, the company has built and launched more small satellites than all other European firms put together.

Until two decades ago, space was open only to countries with huge budgets and strong industry, Radev said. "You no longer need vast financial resources to become an important contributor to Europe's space ecosystem," he said. What it takes now, he said, is talent, a clear vision, persistence, hard work and determination.

Space is no longer just a backdrop to security and defence — it is becoming the foundation for both, Radev said. It's not only about money, he added, but about how wisely countries spend it together. He called for national and European space programmes to work together more closely, and for the move from lab to orbit — and then to real-world use — to happen faster.

"If we want a Europe that is strong, prosperous and stable, we need to build a strong European space ecosystem," he said. New technologies and artificial intelligence are multiplying what's possible, and Europe's future depends on how fast it adapts, Radev said. Every EU and NATO member has a role to play, he said, adding that he was proud of Bulgaria's strong contribution.

Two weeks ago at the Élysée Palace in Paris, EnduroSat and Arianespace signed a memorandum of understanding. Radev and French president Emmanuel Macron attended the signing.