Acting Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski said Bulgaria should look at foreign policy not only through the lens of crises and geopolitical tensions, but also through opportunities for investment, innovation and strategic cooperation with the United States, especially in high technologies and the space sector.
Speaking during a visit to Sofia Tech Park together with Bulgarian scientist, engineer and entrepreneur Eng. Dr. Petko Dinev, Neynski stressed that Bulgaria has the capacity to take part in major international projects and strengthen its role as a technological partner on the global stage.
Petko Dinev, who is visiting Bulgaria on April 27 and 28 at the invitation of the acting foreign minister, was highlighted for his contribution to NASA's Artemis 1 and Artemis 2 missions through his work in optical and digital imaging technologies.
?It is a great honor for me to be among you today and to celebrate together the achievements of Eng. Dinev and his work in the field of optical and digital imaging technologies, which found application in NASA's Artemis 1 and Artemis 2 missions,? Neynski said.
She described his scientific achievements as an example of the Bulgarian contribution to modern space exploration and praised his role in strengthening Bulgarian-American cooperation.
According to Neynski, Dinev's visit comes at a symbolic moment marked by several important anniversaries in bilateral relations: the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the fifth anniversary of the renewal of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement.
She noted that these agreements remain key pillars of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the US and provide a strong foundation for expanding cooperation into new sectors.
?Foreign policy should not be measured only by crises and problems, but by investments and cooperation in the field of high technologies and space,? she said.
Neynski underlined that alongside defense, security, energy, trade and education, growing importance is now being placed on artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, innovation, robotics, quantum computing, microelectronics and space technologies.
She pointed to Sofia Tech Park as a symbol of that future and described it as Bulgaria's center of innovation with global significance. Among the examples she mentioned were the Discoverer+ supercomputer, the Bulgarian AI factory Brain++, and laboratories for micro- and nanotechnologies, as well as intelligent communication infrastructure.
?Usually, for people, space is a symbol of the future. Bulgaria can really be part of ambitious and large projects that we are doing with the US,? Neynski said.
She expressed hope that cooperation would deepen not only with the European Union, but also with Washington, giving Bulgarian talent greater opportunities to participate in international high-tech development.
According to the minister, Bulgaria already has strong foundations for this role, including traditions in engineering sciences, a competitive IT sector, qualified specialists and a growing innovation ecosystem.
She said the country is ready to work on joint initiatives with the United States in areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, dual-use technologies, scientific research and space development.
?Using these opportunities, we are ready to work to implement joint initiatives that will increase technological sustainability,? Neynski said, emphasizing that closer cooperation in innovation is essential for economic growth and for strengthening Bulgaria's competitiveness in a rapidly changing global environment.
