Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister Ivan Vasilev presented Bulgaria’s positions at the regular meeting of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in its telecommunications configuration on 09.06.2026 in Luxembourg.
During the meeting, ministers discussed key issues related to digital transformation, cybersecurity, digital connectivity and the European Union’s technological sovereignty.
Bulgaria supported the Council’s adoption of a general approach on the proposed regulation establishing European Business Wallets.
On strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Vasilev said that amid geopolitical competition and the growing importance of international digital governance, the European Union should continue strengthening coordination and consistently defend its common positions within the ITU. “It is important for our country that the European Union continue to be a leading force in promoting an open, secure and rules-based international digital order,” he said. Vasilev said a unified European approach would allow Europe to defend its interests more effectively and contribute to the stable development of the global digital environment. “It is also important to preserve the ITU’s role as the leading international organization in radio-frequency spectrum, standardization and digital development,” he added.
On the technological sovereignty of public administrations, Vasilev highlighted the importance of secure and reliable digital infrastructure, developing European capacity in cloud services and artificial intelligence, and the need for coordinated investment and cooperation among member states, research organizations and industry to strengthen the European Union’s technological resilience. “Our country is actively investing in building capacity to develop and deploy artificial intelligence and digital technologies in the public sector and sees these investments as an essential element of European technological resilience and competitiveness,” he said. Vasilev pointed to the Bulgarian Artificial Intelligence Factory project, BRAIN++, as one of the major initiatives. “The Bulgarian government, and specifically the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation, will soon present the open-source SIGMA AI platform, an integrated system for civic monitoring and artificial intelligence-based analysis of all public procurement in the country,” Vasilev said.
The future of European satellite connectivity was also discussed. Bulgaria’s position is that building independent, secure and highly effective European satellite infrastructure should be a strategic EU priority. “For Bulgaria, space is a strategic asset, a driver of research and innovation, the development of dual-use technologies, and the strengthening of the European Union’s competitiveness and satellite connectivity,” Vasilev said. He noted that European space programs are strategic assets that should be effectively developed and upgraded to achieve technological leadership and the capacity to act in today’s geopolitical environment. “Given the growing importance of satellite connectivity for the security and resilience of communication networks, the European Union must continue efforts to build a coordinated and predictable approach to the development of the European satellite ecosystem,” Vasilev added.
At the Council meeting, ministers also reviewed a progress report on the Cybersecurity Act 2 proposal and a report on progress in the consideration of the Digital Networks Act.
In Luxembourg, Vasilev also spoke with European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen. They discussed how Bulgaria can become a more active participant in digital transformation at EU level.
