Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

EU Commissioner candidate Zaharieva supports funding for defence technology

Photo: EP

"I support the allocation of more funds in the field of innovation for defence" - this is how the Bulgarian candidate for the post of European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, answered a question by Bulgarian MEP Petar Volgin during her hearing in the European Parliament. 

"Europe did not start this war, Russia did," Zaharieva continued, adding: "Well, I hope that peace will defeat war. I firmly believe that our security depends on Ukraine winning the war. And yes, I believe that the resources we use to help Ukraine win are not wasted - they are an investment in our own security. Ukraine is fighting for our own security."

"We have a brainpower of 2 million smart people who make Europe a force in global research," Zakharieva stressed. If appointed, she said her priorities would be an action plan for women in innovation, start-ups and science, the promotion of artificial intelligence in science, the creation of an AI research council, and she expected to see 3% of EU GDP spent on innovation and research.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

General Major Nikolay Rusev

Bulgaria will seek a system for maximum protection against drones

We want to buy a system that has maximum protection against drones. This does not mean that it has a mechanical effect on the drone, but at least that it has some electromagnetic or blocking control of the device. This was explained to BNT by Maj. Gen...

published on 10/16/25 1:22 PM
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini with President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska

Slovak Ambassador summoned to Ministry of Foreign Affairs over statements made in Skopje

Slovak Ambassador Vasil Grivna was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over official statements made by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini during his visit to Skopje on October 14. There were unacceptable assessments made..

published on 10/16/25 10:40 AM

Vice President presents the most famous Chinese scholar of Bulgarian studies with an order

On behalf of the Head of State Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Iotova presented the Order of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, first degree, to Professor Ma Sipu, the press office of the president reported. The award was presented at..

published on 10/16/25 8:50 AM