Defense and Democracy Dialogue: Fortifying Freedom

A scene-setter on how leadership, institutions and allies respond to sustained hybrid pressure, coercive economics and information manipulation. The segment frames the day’s North Star: translating strategic clarity into operational choices for Europe’s security community.

Participants: Ognian Shentov (opening remarks); Rosen Zhelyazkov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria; Ingrid Schulerud, Special Representative on Democracy and Rule of Law, MFA Norway.

Europe’s democratic purpose under pressure – how to sustain public resolve and the political centre of gravity behind collective defence. The discussion links values to deterrence, highlighting the narratives, capabilities and partnerships that keep societies cohesive in long campaigns.

Participants: Claire Craanen, Deputy Spokesperson, NATO; Todor Tagarev, Minister of Defence of Bulgaria (2023–2024).

Chair: Nikolay Milkov, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to NATO.

The 3SI’s pivot from infrastructure catch-up to geostrategic instrument – resilience, dual-use mobility and digital backbones across the Baltic–Black–Adriatic arc. The panel tests concrete levers: TEN-T/Military Mobility alignment, Ukraine’s integration, and governance that complements EU cohesion policy.

Participants: Juris Poikāns, Special Envoy for Ukraine Reconstruction and Baltic Sea Region Security, Latvia; Zlatin Krastev, Cyber Ambassador, MFA Bulgaria.

Chair: Dr. Jarosław Pietras, Visiting Professor, College of Europe; former Secretary of State for Europe, Poland.

Safeguarding rights and democratic trust at home amid external coercion and disinformation. The session focuses on data-driven monitoring, effective remedies, and cooperation between institutions and civil society to prevent backsliding.

Participants: Sirpa Rautio, Director, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights; Velislava Delcheva, Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Chair: Dimitar Markov, Director, Law Program, CSD.

Countering capture networks through transparency, enforcement and cross-border cooperation. Speakers will map practical reforms – beneficial ownership, sanctioning enablers, integrity in public procurement—and how to mobilise civic oversight.

Participants: Daniel Mitov, Minister of Interior of Bulgaria; Assia Ivantcheva, Senior Director, Europe Program, NED; Albert Hani, Director, RAI Secretariat.

Chair: Ruslan Stefanov, Program Director, CSD.

From audits to consequences: closing Europe’s accountability gap to restore public trust. The panel examines how audit findings translate into prosecutorial follow-through, asset recovery and systemic fixes that deter repeat abuse.

Participants: Iliana Ivanova, Member, European Court of Auditors; Krum Zarkov, Minister of Justice of Bulgaria (2022–2023).

Chair: Alexander Gerganov, Director, Sociological Program, CSD.

Practical defences against FIMI and hybrid threats – standards, rapid-response tooling and whole-of-government coordination. The conversation targets deliverables within 12 months: early-warning, platform cooperation and resilience drills across institutions.

Participants: Kirsti Pohjankukka, Ambassador of Finland to Bulgaria; Goran Georgiev, Senior Analyst, Democracy Shield Task Force, CSD.

Chair: Rositsa Dzhekova, Director, Democracy Shield Task Force, CSD.

Tech sovereignty meets security: secure digital infrastructure, trusted supply chains and scale-up finance for strategic innovation. Speakers consider responsible AI adoption alongside protection of critical IP, standards and cross-border data flows.

Participants: Changick Kim, Dean, Graduate School of Advanced Security Science and Technology, KAIST; Dobroslav Dimitrov, Co-Founder & CEO, Raisen Technology.

Chair: Lilyana Pavlova, Senior Advisor, ARC Fund; Vice-President, EIB (2019–2023).

Cutting dependencies while keeping markets competitive and the transition affordable. The panel weighs investment gaps, market design and diversification strategies that deliver both resilience and consumer protection.

Participants: Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy of Bulgaria; Marius Koeppen, Analyst, Energy & Climate Program, CSD.

Chair: Martin Vladimirov, Director, Energy & Climate Program, CSD.

Securing allied value chains for green and digital transitions – from upstream access to processing, recycling and standards. Discussion centers on EU–partner alignment, permitting reform and risk-sharing finance to de-risk projects.

Participants: Doncho Barbalov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria; Svetoslav Georgiev, Director, Geological Institute, BAS.

Chair: Paul Lambert, Ambassador of Belgium to Bulgaria.