STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE: THE WAY AHEAD

The Sofia Security Forum and the Media Program South East Europe of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation organized on 11 of December 2025 a regional conference to exchange knowledge, identify gaps, and chart a path forward for building stronger, more coherent, and more resilient Strategic communications ecosystems in SEE. In an age of rapid digital transformation, geopolitical volatility, and intensified information warfare, strategic communications (StratCom) has become an indispensable component of national resilience, democratic governance, and regional stability. Countries of South-East Europe (SEE) face a unique combination of challenges: low public trust in institutions, fragmented media environments, disinformation campaigns, and limited inter-institutional coordination. While progress has been made driven by EU, NATO, and donor-supported initiatives strategic communications capacities remain uneven, and often reactive rather than proactive. The conference launched a long-term project aimed at strengthening the role of Strategic Communications in SEE to overcome the above problems.

EU TECHNOLOGICAL AUTONOMY. STRATEGIES, FUNDING, AND IMPLEMENTATION

The international conference “Technological Autonomy of the EU: Strategies, Funding, and Implementation,” organized by the Sofia Security Forum and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Sofia, was held on September 24 at the Central Military Club. The forum brought together representatives of Bulgarian institutions, business, academia, and the diplomatic community. The event aimed to highlight the strategic importance of the EU’s technological autonomy and to foster cross-sector debate on the key challenges and opportunities in this field. The conference was opened by Yordan Bozhilov, President of the Sofia Security Forum; Miguel Alonso Berrio, Ambassador of Spain to Bulgaria; and Martin Danovski, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth. The keynote address by Prof. Velizar Shalamanov provided an in-depth perspective on maintaining NATO’s technological edge within the broader context of the EU’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. The first panel, “Strategic Visions for the EU’s Technological Development,” featured Luis Moya (INDRA, EU Defence Division) and Prof. Boyan Mednikarov, representing the Naval Academy and EnduroSat. Moderated by Dr. Monika Panayotova, university lecturer and Vice President of the Sofia Security Forum, the discussion explored innovation ecosystems, regulatory alignment, and public–private partnerships. The second panel, “From Policy to Practice: Turning Strategies into Reality,” focused on defense technological autonomy and security innovation, with contributions from Gonzalo León Serrano (Foundation for Defence and Security Technologies) and Dr. Borislav Bankov (NATO Testing Centre, GATE Institute). The panel was moderated by Yordan Bozhilov. Discussions in both sessions addressed practical issues, technical challenges, and emerging threats, while also presenting innovative and promising solutions—including the “democratization” of space through small satellites and the need to improve not only technologies but also supporting infrastructure. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that NATO’s existing mechanisms and instruments in the fields of security and defense should be adapted and leveraged by the European Union. Building entirely new, independent European structures would require considerable time—a resource the EU cannot afford in today’s dynamic and unstable international environment. This underscored the urgency of closer coordination between European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, alongside targeted investments in strategic technologies and infrastructure. The conference drew strong interest and active engagement from the audience. Participants posed insightful, analytically rich questions that enriched the exchange of ideas and turned the event into a significant contribution to the European debate on technological autonomy and strategic resilience.

Publications

STRENGTHENING SECURITY AND RESILIENCE IN THE BLACK SEA REGION

The document examines the security risks in the Black Sea and the measures that need to be taken at the national, regional and alliance levels to build resilience. The focus is on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. The material was developed on the basis of a round table organized by the Sofia Security Forum and the New Strategy Center on September 19, 2025, with the participation of high-ranking representatives of various ministries from Bulgaria and Romania.

Events

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE: THE WAY AHEAD

Media

Interview for DARIK Radio

Key developments on the international arena

Sun, Oct 05, 2025

ARMENIA AND NATO: A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH SECURITY IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE SOUTH CAUCASUS AND BEYOND

Experts and politicians met in Poland to discuss Armenia’s changing political stance, particularly in light of growing regional instability and its pivot to the West. NATO’s strategic role in the South Caucasus, prospects for deepening cooperation with Armenia, and shared challenges in countering Russian influence were discussed. Special attention was paid to the dynamics of Turkish-Armenian relations and their implications for regional security. The forum aimed to foster an informed dialogue to connect NATO and Armenia through diplomacy, resilience, and strategic alignment.

Brief

Thu, Aug 21, 2025

The need for a new National Security Strategy, the Russian threat and the role of the services

A national security strategy is necessary because it assesses the security environment and defines the country's key interests and policies.

Brief

Thu, May 22, 2025

TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS

Speech of Mr. Yordan Bozhilov at the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, Romania 22-23 May, 2025

Brief

Wed, May 21, 2025

CRITICAL OFFSHORE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE VERSUS HYBRID THREATS. HOW CAN WE IMPROVE RESILIENCE

Speaking notes of Mr. Yordan Bozhilov at the Black sea and Balkans Security Forum, Romania 22-23 May, 2025

Brief

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE: THE WAY AHEAD

"STRENGTHENING SECURITY AND RESILIENCE IN THE BLACK SEA REGION"

STRENGTHENING SECURITY AND RESILIENCE IN THE BLACK SEA REGION

CAN DEFENSE SPENDING STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH?

EU TECHNOLOGICAL AUTONOMY. STRATEGIES, FUNDING, AND IMPLEMENTATION

The need for a new National Security Strategy, the Russian threat and the role of the services

Latest

Publications

STRENGTHENING SECURITY AND RESILIENCE IN THE BLACK SEA REGION

Events

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE: THE WAY AHEAD

Media

Interview for DARIK Radio

On Focus

ARMENIA AND NATO: A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH SECURITY IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE SOUTH CAUCASUS AND BEYOND

The need for a new National Security Strategy, the Russian threat and the role of the services

TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS

CRITICAL OFFSHORE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE VERSUS HYBRID THREATS. HOW CAN WE IMPROVE RESILIENCE