Deputy Minister Angelov held a meeting with the director of the EU Agency for the space program EUSPA Rodrigo da Costa

The Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Prof. Georgi Angelov held a bilateral meeting with the Executive Director of the European Union Space Program Agency (EUSPA) Rodrigo da Costa. The meeting took place within the framework of the international scientific conference "Scientific research, innovation and industrial cooperation - a paradigm for adequate defense" during the exhibition of defense products and services "Hemus 2024" in Plovdiv.

The two discussed the progress of technology and the development of the space sector in Bulgaria. "Over the past decade, the space sector and its impact have become a strategic driver of economic growth in Europe. For companies in this field, more and more opportunities are provided for development, as well as for attracting private and institutional investors and introducing business innovations with the use of space data for the benefit of society and the economy," said Prof. Angelov.

The Deputy Minister and the Director of the Agency also discussed the importance of the space sector as a strategic asset contributing to the development of new markets and business opportunities for industry, including small and medium-sized enterprises. "For this reason, Europe must maintain its leading position in the provision of space data and services," Angelov also commented.

Together with Rodrigo da Costa, they commented that in order to achieve autonomy and sustainability of the space sector, Bulgaria should intensify its efforts to strengthen national participation in European space programs and create the necessary mechanisms to promote the space industry.

The capabilities offered by the European space programs Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, as well as the IRIS2 program are key to ensuring Europe's industrial and strategic independence, as they contribute significantly to finding solutions to societal challenges and global problems, it became clear already during the meeting.

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth is directly involved in the activities of the Administrative Board of the European Union Space Program Agency (EUSPA).

EUSPA provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, promotes the commercialization of Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus data and services by coordinating the upcoming EU GOVSATCOM satellite communications programme. EUSPA is responsible for the security accreditation of all components of the EU space programme. By fostering the development of an innovative and competitive space sector and engaging with the entire EU space community, EUSPA contributes to the European Green Deal and the digital transition, to the safety and security of the Union and its citizens, while strengthening its autonomy and resilience.