Annual Roundtable of the Center for National Security and Defence Research (CNSDR) at BAS on “Science and Innovation for Security, Defence and Space”

On 15.03.2024, at 13:30, the Annual Roundtable of the Center for National Security and Defence Research (CNSDR) at BAS on “Science and Innovation for Security, Defence and Space” was held at the Joint Innovation Center (JIC) of BAS. The roundtable was opened by the Director of CNSDR-BAS Mr. Kamen Iliev, and the guests were welcomed by the Vice-President of BAS – Corr. Memb. Stefan Hadjitodorov, and the Director of the JIC – Mr. Marin Pandev.

In the first part, which was chaired by Corr. Memb. Stefan Hadjitodorov, Vice-President of BAS and member of the Board of the Consortium of “S&D” NSP a report was made on the activities carried out by the teams of BAS in the first year of the “Security and Defence” National Science Programme. The leaders of the seven tasks presented the results achieved, the difficulties encountered and the work planned for the upcoming second year of the national programme. The first part ended with a fruitful discussion between the representatives of the different teams, and the Director of CNSDR-BAS – Mr. Iliev, noted that we should think in the direction of integrating the efforts of the different units of BAS in order to have the opportunity to participate in larger international projects (European Defence Fund, NATO Innovation Fund) in the field of security and defence.

In the second part of the Roundtable, an Information Session was held on the new calls for funding for research organisations from the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the EU Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) published on 15.03.2024. They were presented by Mr. Krastio Preslavsky – Deputy Head of the EDF Implementation Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS).

Rear Admiral (Ret) Nikolay Nikolov – Chairman of the Governing Board of the HEMUS-95 Foundation, presented the “HEMUS-2024” International Exhibition and the accompanying events which will be held in the period 5-8 June in the city of Plovdiv. In this regard, the Director of CNSDR-BAS – Mr. Iliev announced “SPACE WEEK: SCIENCE AND INNOVATION FOR A GREEN, SUSTAINABLE AND SECURE EUROPE”, an event organized by the Centre within the framework of the “HEMUS-2024” exhibition. It is dedicated to the 155^th anniversary of BAS, under the patronage of the Belgian Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Frédéric Meurice and in support of the priorities of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The week will take place in the period 4-8 June 2024.