Minister Zaharieva, Commissioner Bienkowska Discuss European Financing for Defence Industry
12 November 2018 News
“Bulgaria supports the European Defence Fund and insists that it should reach the small and medium-size manufacturers, such as the Bulgarian defence industry producers,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva said in a conversation with Elzbieta Bienkowska, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.
The two met during the “Seeking Security Coherence for Growth and Prosperity: a Pillar for Europe’s Stability” Conference in Sofia organized by the British magazine The Economist.
Commissioner Bienkowska noted that the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Industrial Development Program that is linked to it are being used to set aside new funds and for opening opportunities which this sector never enjoyed in Europe in the past.
The two also agreed that Bulgaria would be able to organize an event at which the major defence industry companies would meet local businesses. “We have a strong development base in this sector and our products are highly competitive, but are too specific,” Minister Zaharieva observed.
Commissioner Bienkowska added that during her meetings in East Europe she has already met representatives of the small and medium-sized businesses operating in this sector. “The problem with them is that they are not always aware of the new investment opportunities arising from the European Defence Fund,” she said.