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.
Event
Cyber Security and New Technologies
European Union
THE EU STRATEGY FOR THE BLACK SEA AND BULGARIA - ROMANIA COOPERATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF OFFSHORE INFRASTRUCTURE
On 19 September, the Sofia Security Forum (SSF) - Bulgaria, together with the New Strategy Center (NSC) - Romania, organized in Sofia a workshop dedicated to “The EU Strategy for the Black Sea 2025 and the Bulgaria-Romania cooperation for protection of the offshore infrastructure.” The event gathered Bulgarian and Romanian officials from the government and a number of ministries, security experts, and representatives of energy companies, engaged in offshore exploration and infrastructure projects. The debate highlighted that the Black Sea has become a frontline for both conventional and hybrid challenges. Participants drew attention to the growing risks to critical infrastructure of diverse nature — from drifting mines and unmanned systems, to cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and the disruption of navigation routes under the guise of military drills. These threats were discussed as not only a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine, but a long-term factor shaping the security in the region. The speakers noted that both the Han Asparuh block in Bulgaria and the Neptun Deep block in Romania illustrate the stakes: offshore resources can provide energy independence for the two countries, but also can create new vulnerabilities that require joint risk assessments, interoperable monitoring systems, and the ability to respond quickly to crises at sea. The need to integrate EU initiatives — including the forthcoming Maritime Security Hub — with national capabilities was highlighted as a crucial step for protecting cables, platforms, and energy corridors. From the Bulgarian perspective, the discussions emphasized that securing the Black Sea is not only a matter of regional solidarity, but a core national interest. Once exploration at the Han Asparuh block advances, Bulgaria has the potential to fully meet its domestic gas needs and to contribute to regional supply. To achieve this securely, participants pointed that its of crucial importance to improve coordination between civilian and military authorities, to enhance the port and coastal infrastructure, investing in countermeasures and technologies for surveillance. The Sofia Security Forum will continue working on the analyses of the risks and threats in the Black Sea with the aim of searching for workable solutions at national and regional level as well as within NATO and EU. We will continue organizing events, offering a platform where decision-makers and experts can develop practical solutions for resilience. Strengthening the Bulgarian-Romanian cooperation in the Black Sea is key not only for the protection of offshore energy infrastructure, but also for ensuring that the region contributes to the EU’s long-term energy security and strategic autonomy, in line with the EU Black Sea Strategy 2025 and will be in the focus of the activities of the Sofia Security Forum.
Event
Bulgarian Foreign Policy
Balkans and Black Sea
Security and Defense
European Union
NAVIGATING THROUGH TURBULENT TIMES: THE NEW DYNAMIC IN THE GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY LANDSCAPE
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the Embassy of Switzerland in Sofia, and the Sofia Security Forum organized an engaging discussion titled “NAVIGATING THROUGH TURBULENT TIMES: THE NEW DYNAMIC IN THE GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY LANDSCAPE.” The event took place on 6 June 2025 at the Central Military Club in Sofia and marked the 30th anniversary of the GCSP. The GCSP is an international foundation dedicated to advancing global cooperation, security, and peace. It stands as a leading platform in the international security arena, bringing together diverse actors through inclusive dialogue, executive education, and the exchange of ideas. Our guest speaker, Dr. Jean-Marc Rickli, Head of Global and Emerging Risks and Founder and Director of the Polymath Initiative at GCSP, presented an analysis of global trends and connected scientific developments to their impact on security, defence, international affairs, our societies, and individuals. A comprehensive approach like this is essential to understand potential risks and threats, raise awareness among decision-makers, and take necessary measures.
Event
Global Challenges
Security and Defense
Cyber Security and New Technologies
Memorandum for Cooperation between Sofia Security Forum and Bulgarian Ministry of Defense signed
The Sofia Security Forum and the Ministry of Defense signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The two sides agreed to share good practices, expertise and analytical developments; to prepare joint projects in areas of mutual interest; to inform each other on various issues and exchange information; to analyze issues of mutual interest, including European defense, NATO, Russia's war in Ukraine, the geopolitical situation in the Black Sea region, defense capabilities, the system of international organizations, strategic communications, new technologies and their impact on security and international relations, and others.
Event
Security and Defense
"EUROPEAN SECURITY ARCHITECTURE IN CRISIS?"
On April 15, 2025, a roundtable discussion titled “Is the European Security Architecture in Crisis?” was held in the “Egg” Hall at Sofia University’s Rectorate. The event was co-organized by the Master's Program in International Security at the Faculty of Law, led by Associate Professor Dr. Mira Kaneva, and the Master's Program in Crises, Conflicts, and Diplomacy in Global Politics at the Faculty of History, led by Associate Professor Dr. Boris Stoyanov. Special guest speakers included Yordan Bozhilov, Chairman of the Sofia Security Forum and former Deputy Minister of Defense, who outlined the future of European security architecture through the lens of Bulgaria; Dr. Plamen Dimitrov from the Bulgarian Geopolitical Society, who analyzed European security between Putin’s revisionism and Trump’s unpredictability; and Associate Professor Dr. Hristo Hristov, an EU Law lecturer at the Faculty of Law, who discussed the prospects for strengthening the EU's defense readiness. In the second part of the discussion, two student teams from the International Security Master's Program presented the results of their group research. Todor Mihaylov introduced the report “Autonomy in European Security – Can Europe Become Independent from the U.S. in Defense?”, co-authored with Simeon Krushev and Nikolay Slavkov. Their analysis focused on Europe’s dependency in key military capabilities, NATO’s role, options for enhancing EU defense autonomy, and the future of transatlantic relations. Verginia Petrova presented the report “China’s New Economic and Strategic Approach to Europe”, prepared with Iva Veselinova, Kristina Mincheva, and Yoanna Ognyanova. The report examined challenges to the EU's economic resilience, digital security, and strategic autonomy, and proposed a model of selective partnership with China. Their presentations sparked lively debate among students from both master’s programs, doctoral candidates in International Relations Denitsa Kovacheva and Nikola Peykov, and other guests. Discussions focused on security threats in the Black Sea region and the Western Balkans, the global commitments of the U.S. and EU, and hybrid threats such as algorithmic radicalization and anti-democratic propaganda.
Event
Global Challenges
Security and Defense
European Union
THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THE BLACK SEA - REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR ENERGY AND DEFENSE
The Sofia Security Forum in cooperation with The New Strategy Center (Romania) and The Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), (Türkiye), together with the delegations of Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye to NATO, organized on December 11, 2024 a discussion to present the study "The Strategic Importance of the Black Sea: Regional Cooperation in Energy and Defense".
Event
Balkans and Black Sea
Security and Defense
NATO