AGP Executive Report

Nuclear & Water Security: Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP will cut output by about 120 MW at Unit 5 on Aug 21 after record-low Danube levels threaten safe operations, underscoring how drought is now directly shaping power generation. UAV Rules & Trade: The US is easing export controls on certain civilian/commercial drones while keeping limits for military-grade systems, and it’s also adding tariffs on some UAV imports—aimed at boosting domestic production and raising costs for foreign-made drones. Science-to-Business Push: Bulgaria’s Innovation Minister and BAS leadership discussed faster tech transfer, spin-off creation, and wider use of the Hemus supercomputer to help research reach market value. Digital Nomads: Bulgaria introduced a new residence permit scheme for eligible non-EU remote workers, with income and documentation requirements, to attract high-skilled talent in tech and creative industries. Defense Manufacturing: Ukraine’s DEMZ signed an agreement to build a NATO-standard ammunition facility in Lithuania, with production planned to start late 2027. Public Safety & Misinformation: Romania’s Cobasna depot assessment claims the stock is far smaller than feared (about 14,000 gross tons, 2,800 tons explosive charge) and rejects “Hiroshima-scale” explosion scenarios. Education & STEM: Bulgarian students won three medals at the International Geography Olympiad in Istanbul, and Bulgaria will host the event again in 2029.

Drought & Water Tech: Record-low river levels across Europe are exposing major infrastructure and history at once—Bulgaria’s Danube has even revealed woolly mammoth remains, while Serbia’s Sava River has surfaced the century-old “Sava’s Titanic” steam tugboat and a WWII mine. Energy & Nuclear Cooling: Bulgaria’s Kozloduy N-plant will cut output by about 120 MW as the Danube recedes, highlighting how extreme heat stresses cooling water systems. Healthcare Hardware: Haskovo Hospital in Bulgaria is installing the first of 17 next-gen CT scanners under a Health Ministry project, with AI support aimed at faster stroke diagnosis and referral. Biotech & Metabolic Health: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences researchers secured protection for a natural bioactive compound combination (maackiain, betulinic acid, piperine) after preclinical safety work and plans for human validation. Cybersecurity: Rapid7 reports “Operation Asterix,” a crypto phishing campaign using AI-assisted fake wallet apps and targeting about 885,000 phone numbers, including a large Bulgaria-linked list. Digital Infrastructure: A Reuters report says European data center investment is surging for AI/cloud, pushing builders toward Bulgaria and other lower-cost eastern markets. Energy Storage: SolarPower Europe says Europe added 36 GWh of battery storage in 2025, with Bulgaria taking fifth place at 2.7 GWh.

Energy Storage in Focus: SolarPower Europe says Europe added 36 GWh of battery storage in 2025, pushing total operational capacity past 100 GWh; Bulgaria ranked fifth with 2.7 GWh, while Ukraine surged into the top five. Grid Resilience & Water Stress: Hungary is doing emergency engineering on the Danube to keep the Paks nuclear plant running as river levels hit record lows, with barges sunk to raise water and WWII shipwrecks surfacing. Cybersecurity: Rapid7 reports “Operation Asterix,” a crypto phishing campaign targeting about 885,000 phone numbers and pushing fake apps to steal seed phrases. Health Tech R&D: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences teams secured protection for a bioactive compound combo (maackiain, betulinic acid, piperine) aimed at metabolic health, with preclinical results and a planned human clinical validation. Business & Tech Transfer: Bulgaria and Indonesia discussed technology transfer, investment and joint production in high-tech areas including space, drones and satellite services. Manufacturing Trade: MAKTEK Eurasia 2026 in Istanbul is fully booked, aiming to connect MENA buyers with advanced manufacturing tech. Local Tech Ecosystem: Neterra starts taking orders for the Starlink V5 terminal in Bulgaria. Policy Watch: The EU’s new FDI screening rules entered into force, with national implementation due by January 2028.

EV Manufacturing Boost: Fair Oaks expands its 2nd-gen FST/FSV servo leveler-uncoiler line for ultra-thin silicon steel used in EV and high-efficiency motors. Satellite Internet in Bulgaria: Neterra starts taking orders for SpaceX’s Starlink V5 terminal, with 375+ Mbps download speeds and an IP67-rated kit. AI Startup Funding: Alcatraz co-founder Ventsislav (Vince) Gaydarzhiev’s new company Self Inspection raises $10M to build an AI platform for remote vehicle inspections. Bulgarian Deep-Tech Exit: Oakley Capital agrees to buy a majority stake in Graphwise, one of Bulgaria’s biggest software exits, after rapid growth in semantic layer tech for AI agents. EU Deal Rules: The new EU FDI screening regulation enters into force, with national implementation due by Jan 2028—important for cross-border M&A in sensitive sectors. Procurement Politics: EU member states split over “Buy European” procurement plans that would favor EU-made and low-carbon tech. Cyber/Online Safety: UN urges platforms to take the burden for protecting children online, warning about disinformation and unregulated AI risks. Energy & Climate Pressure: Serbia’s historic steam tugboat resurfaces as rivers run dry from drought and extreme heat, echoing wider water-stress across Europe. Security Watch: Reports say Iran is weighing strikes on US-linked targets in Europe, including Bulgaria, if tensions escalate.

AI Safety & Youth Rights: The UN says children shouldn’t be “guinea pigs” for unregulated AI and urges platforms and advertisers to carry more responsibility for online harms, as disinformation, manipulation, harassment and opaque AI systems grow. Bulgaria R&D Gap: Bulgaria remains near the bottom of the EU for public research and development spending, investing 303.6M euro in 2025 (about 0.26% of GDP), despite recent tax incentives to boost private R&D. Cyber/AI Crime: A scam operation claims it used Claude Code to process 100,000+ phone numbers for victim targeting, highlighting how generative AI is being weaponized for fraud. Defense Tech & Drones: Japanese firms and Bulgarian companies are exploring joint R&D on drones meeting Japanese requirements, with talks focused on permits and industrial cooperation. Space/Defense Ambitions: Bulgaria is pushing plans for a space and defense technology hub at a former airport, aiming to turn infrastructure into innovation capacity. Security Risk for Europe: Reports say Iran is considering striking US military targets in southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria, if tensions escalate—raising the stakes for regional security. Graph Databases in Bulgaria: Graphwise, a Bulgarian startup, secured major investment from Oakley Capital to expand its open-source graph database and grow globally.

AI & Data Infrastructure: Graphwise, a Bulgarian graph database startup, secured investment from Oakley Capital to expand globally and pursue acquisitions, aiming to become the semantic layer for AI agents. Cybersecurity: Operation ASTERIX shows how crypto scammers use AI-assisted coding plus account-checking, phishing and vishing to target people and steal seed phrases; separate reporting also flags a ransomware affiliate, Ransom Busters, offering “data deletion” for $20k–$60k. EU Digital Justice: The e-Evidence Regulation is now fully applicable across the EU, letting investigators demand digital data directly from tech firms with fast cross-border deadlines. Health Tech in Bulgaria: Sofia’s Alexandrovska Hospital earned top EARL accreditation for PET/CT and a Theranostics Center of Excellence Level 2 certificate, boosting standards for oncology diagnostics and targeted therapies. Defense & Drones: Bulgaria received counter-drone systems from Axon and is pushing further acquisitions after a drone incursion exposed air-defence gaps. Energy & Industry: On Miners’ Day, Bulgaria highlighted critical raw materials strategy and plans to digitize the National Geological Fund by 2029. Space/Innovation: Bulgaria plans a space and defense technology hub at a former airport, while Bulgarian and Japanese firms are teaming up on drone R&D. Science & Research: A 1kg meteorite was found in the Balkan Range near Montana and will undergo lab testing for official certification. Public Health Research: A study tracks how COVID-19 excess deaths between men and women narrowed over the pandemic.

Ransomware & Fraud: A crypto scam operation dubbed Operation ASTERIX used AI coding tools to process huge phone lists and run a staged phishing/vishing campaign, while a separate affiliate calling itself Ransom Busters claims it can delete stolen data for $20,000–$60,000. Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Bulgaria is rushing to plug counter-drone gaps after a drone incursion near the Romanian border, with Axon systems delivered and more expected, plus EU SAFE funding in the pipeline. Healthcare Tech: Sofia’s Alexandrovska Hospital earned top EARL accreditation for PET/CT and a Theranostics Center of Excellence Level 2 certificate, boosting oncology diagnostics and targeted therapy standards. Energy & Industry: On Miners’ Day, Bulgaria’s energy leadership tied mining to the EU critical raw materials strategy and announced digitization plans for the National Geological Fund by 2029. Transport & Engineering: The Transport Ministry says it will seek a lasting fix for Vakarel Tunnel 2, citing unstable geology and the need for comprehensive studies. Aviation & Defense Tech: Germany’s first F-35A moved into stealth finishing at Lockheed Martin, edging toward replacing the Tornado fleet. Bulgaria–Japan Tech: Bulgarian and Japanese firms plan joint R&D on drones meeting Japanese requirements. Science & Education: Neapolis University Pafos students won two gold and three silver medals at IMC 2026. Space/Geoscience: A 1kg+ meteorite was found in Bulgaria’s Balkan Range near Montana and will undergo lab testing.

Digital Health Policy: Bulgaria still lacks a clear reimbursement pathway for digital therapeutics, as health ministry and experts disagree on whether EU rules already cover software-based treatments—risking slower adoption versus Germany and France. Space & Defense Tech: The Bulgarian government approved a plan with Starbase Europe to turn the largely inactive Dobroslavtsi Airport into a space and defense technology hub, including satellite assembly/testing and a campus. Climate Adaptation Research: EU-funded projects are boosting Bulgaria’s ability to prepare for extreme heat, floods and wildfires with local heat-risk mapping and AI-enabled early-warning platforms. Rail Modernization: Škoda Group’s first eight of 20 electric multiple-units entered service with BDZ, aiming to speed up Sofia–Burgas/Varna/Ruse long-distance routes. Energy Storage in Renewables: Sungrow will supply a 152MW/606MWh battery system for Chile’s Observatorio solar project, supporting grid stability and longer renewable integration. Security & Tech: A NATO exercise, “EAGLE SPEARHEAD,” is underway in Romania with ~1,000 troops and drones, while Bulgaria is not listed as a participating country. Crypto & Compliance: Binance reportedly shared Russian customer data with investigators in a terrorism case tied to crypto donations, including Bulgarian residency details. Infrastructure Procurement: Bulgaria’s Byala–Veliko Tarnovo highway tender was canceled after a year, with the Road Infrastructure Agency citing flaws in bid evaluation methodology. Science & Discovery: A >1kg meteorite was found in Bulgaria’s Balkan Range near Montana and will undergo lab testing and certification.

Space & Defense Tech: Bulgaria approved a deal to redevelop the largely inactive Dobroslavtsi Airport into a space and defense technology hub, with satellite assembly/testing and a campus plus a national facility to process satellite data. Energy & Grid Resilience: Kozloduy NPP says it’s still operating on schedule despite record-low Danube levels, with extra steps for cooling, riverbank pumps and spent fuel systems. Climate Research: EU-funded projects are boosting early warnings for extreme heat, floods and wildfires, including AI-based platforms and local heat-risk mapping that link temperatures to health impacts in Bulgaria and beyond. Transport & Infrastructure: Škoda EMUs have entered service in Bulgaria after a fast delivery of 20 electric trains under the EU-funded RRP, while the Byala–Veliko Tarnovo highway tender was scrapped over bid-evaluation methodology. Cyber & Finance: Fresh allegations claim Binance shared user data and transaction records with Russian authorities in a high-risk terrorism case tied to crypto donations. EU Science Diplomacy: Sofia will host the 2028 SCAR Open Science Conference, aiming for nearly 2,000 polar researchers and marking 40 years of Bulgarian Antarctic activity. Tech Business: Arrow Electronics expanded IBM distribution coverage to seven more countries including Bulgaria.

Nuclear & Water Security (Bulgaria): Kozloduy NPP says it’s still operating on schedule despite record-low Danube levels, with extra checks and work on riverbank pumps, cooling systems, and spent fuel/hydraulic facilities. Polar Science (Bulgaria): Sofia will host the 2028 SCAR Open Science Conference, aiming for nearly 2,000 polar researchers and marking 40 years of Bulgarian Antarctic activity. AI & Education (Global): China topped IOI 2026 in Tashkent with 3 golds and 1 silver, while Nepal won its first International AI Olympiad medal (bronze). Tech Talent (Bulgaria): Sofia Tech Park will host Robotics Strategy Forum 2026, spotlighting robotics and engineering ecosystems. Food Safety (Bulgaria): BFSA ordered the return of 11.6 tonnes of peppers from North Macedonia after formetanate residues exceeded limits. Infrastructure (Bulgaria/Turkiye): Turkiye’s transport minister says Turkish and Bulgarian firms will join construction of the Black Sea motorway linking Varna and Burgas. Energy Markets (Regional): A drought-driven Danube drop is disrupting transport and power across Central and Eastern Europe, with economic losses mounting.

Danube Drought & Nuclear Safety: Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP says it’s still operating on schedule despite record-low Danube levels, while a working group reviews options for riverbank pumps, cooling systems and spent fuel storage. Polar Science: Sofia will host the 2028 SCAR Open Science Conference, aiming at nearly 2,000 polar researchers and marking 40 years of Bulgarian Antarctic activity. AI Education & Talent: China topped the IOI 2026 medal table in Tashkent with 3 golds and 1 silver, while Nepal won its first International AI Olympiad medal (a bronze in Astana). Tech Skills for AI: A Microsoft exec argues Southern Europe’s AI race will be won by skills and infrastructure, not just tools. Cyber/Crime & Security: Bulgaria’s food safety watchdog returned 11.6 tonnes of peppers to North Macedonia after pesticide levels exceeded limits. Local Tech & Mobility: Three new Sofia Metro Line 3 stations opened, boosting access for over 45,000 residents. Energy/Connectivity: Turkey’s transport minister says Turkish and Bulgarian firms will join the Black Sea motorway project between Varna and Burgas. Public Consultation: ECB says over 8 million people joined the euro banknote redesign input process.

Space & Defense Innovation: Bulgaria’s government approved a memorandum to build a new space and defense innovation hub near Sofia at Dobroslavtsi Air Base, aiming for satellite assembly, testing and qualification. Renewables Market Design: Spain’s Nadara is pairing solar with existing wind farms to stabilize output and unlock a major 10-year PPA with Trafigura, tackling negative-price PV hours. AI Education: Nepal won its first medal at the International Artificial Intelligence Olympiad, taking a bronze in Astana. Public Health & Safety: Bulgaria’s Food Safety Agency sent back 11.6 tonnes of peppers from North Macedonia after formetanate residues exceeded limits. Climate & Water: The Danube hit record low levels, disrupting transport, water supplies and even reactor operations, with drought-linked economic losses rising across Europe. Infrastructure & Mobility: Sofia opened three new Line 3 metro stations, boosting greener commuting for tens of thousands. Cybersecurity/Threats: A Bulgarian arms-factory explosion near Tryavna reignited concerns about sabotage and Russian hybrid threats. Security & Research Access: A Bulgarian environmental researcher was barred from entering Serbia, prompting a protest from a local institute.

Bulgaria Space & Defence Innovation: Bulgaria’s government approved a deal with Starbase Europe to build a new space and defence innovation hub near Sofia at Dobroslavtsi Air Base, aiming to create satellite assembly, testing and qualification capacity and a national space-data management center. Metro Upgrade in Sofia: Three new Line 3 stations opened, promising easier, greener commuting for 45,000+ residents and backed by EUR 144m under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Euro Banknotes Participation: Over 8 million people joined the ECB’s public consultation on future euro banknote design, with “European Culture” and “Rivers and Birds” among the final themes and a focus on better security, durability and accessibility. Food Safety at Borders: Bulgaria’s Food Safety Agency sent back an 11.6-tonne pepper shipment from North Macedonia after formetanate residues exceeded limits, as intensified checks continue at key border checkpoints. Energy & Connectivity Talks: Prime Minister Radev met Turkey’s transport minister, stressing Bulgaria–Türkiye connectivity for Southeastern Europe, including corridor rail plans and cross-border energy links. Danube Drought Impact: Record-low Danube levels are disrupting transport, water supply and energy, with the river carrying far less than its usual August flow.

Space & Defense Innovation: Bulgaria approved a memorandum to build a new space and defense innovation hub near Sofia at Dobroslavtsi Air Base, aiming for satellite assembly, testing and qualification. Public Health & Data Tech: A Bulgarian digital platform, Diagnosis Bulgaria, flags medicine-purchasing anomalies worth over €300M in 2025, using official data to push transparency in hospital procurement. Transport Connectivity: Bulgaria and Türkiye are aligning on the Black Sea motorway between Varna and Burgas, with Turkish contractors and studies already underway. Energy & Climate Impact: The Danube is at record lows (around 31 cm in Budapest), disrupting shipping, water supplies and even nuclear cooling, showing how drought is hitting the whole regional economy. Food Safety: Bulgaria’s Food Safety Agency returned 11.6 tonnes of peppers from North Macedonia after pesticide residues exceeded limits, with intensified border checks continuing. Urban Tech & Mobility: Sofia opened three new Line 3 metro stations, boosting greener commuting for tens of thousands. EU Money & Design: ECB says over 8 million people joined the public consultation on future euro banknote design, with themes like “European Culture” and “Rivers and Birds” in the final stage.

Space & Defense Innovation: Bulgaria’s government has approved a memorandum with Starbase Europe to build a new space and defense innovation hub near Sofia at Dobroslavtsi Air Base, alongside plans for a National Center for Observation, Coordination and Management through Space Data. Public Health Tech & Transparency: A Bulgarian civic platform, Diagnosis Bulgaria, says it found major anomalies in hospital medicine spending and procurement—over €300M in 2025—pushing for more transparent use of official data. Food Safety: Bulgaria’s Food Safety Agency ordered the return of an 11.6-ton shipment of peppers from North Macedonia after formetanate pesticide residues exceeded limits, with intensified border checks continuing. Metro & Urban Mobility: Sofia opened three new underground stations on Line 3, aiming to improve travel for 45,000 residents and boost greener commuting. Drought & Infrastructure Stress: The Danube is at record lows (31cm in Budapest), disrupting shipping, water supplies, and even nuclear cooling, while drought impacts ripple across Central Europe. Connectivity with Turkey: Prime Minister Radev and Turkish officials stressed that Bulgaria–Türkiye connectivity will shape regional development, including plans for the Black Sea motorway and cross-border rail links. Euro Banknotes: Over 8 million people joined the ECB consultation on future euro banknote design, with themes like “European Culture” and “Rivers and Birds” in the final stage. Crypto Payments: An ECB survey finds crypto is still barely used by euro area merchants (0.2% acceptance online), while mobile payments keep gaining.

Bulgaria–Türkiye Connectivity: Prime Minister Rumen Radev met Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, stressing that cross-border connectivity will shape Southeastern Europe, from transport links (including the Edirne–Lesovo–Elhovo–Yambol rail line) to green energy and gas transit corridors. Danube Drought Shock: The Danube fell to record lows (31 cm in Budapest), forcing nuclear-plant cooling measures in Romania and Hungary and disrupting shipping and irrigation across central Europe. Energy Transition vs Jobs: Radev told unions the government will preserve coal and thermal power plants as baseload energy, while negotiating the pace of reforms and employment impacts, including a postponement of Maritsa Basin closures until 2038. Digital Transparency in Healthcare: A Bulgarian civic platform, Diagnosis Bulgaria, says it found major anomalies in hospital medicine spending and procurement—over €300M in 2025—pushing for more transparent use of official data. EU Cross-Border Funding: The Council of Ministers endorsed changes to the Romania–Bulgaria Interreg programme, adding support for Danube navigation and green infrastructure. Cybersecurity & AI: WatchGuard named winners of its $10M AI Innovation Challenge, including a Bulgarian participant, highlighting practical AI for managed security services.