Prof. Silvia Ilieva, Director of the GATE Institute, took part in the strategic dialogue “ONE EUROPE. ONE MARKET – Strategic Exchange”, featuring former Italian Prime Minister and one of the most influential architects of the contemporary vision for the EU Single Market, Enrico Letta, as part of the sixth edition of Green Transition Forum 6.0.
The event brought together leading representatives of European institutions, businesses, and academia to discuss key issues related to the future of the European Single Market, the competitiveness of the European Union, and the role of Central and Eastern Europe in ongoing economic transformation processes.
During the discussion, inspired by the report “Much More Than a Market,” participants exchanged views on the challenges and opportunities facing the European Union amid accelerating technological, economic, and geopolitical changes.
Among the key topics highlighted were the need for deeper integration of the Single Market, the reduction of administrative and regulatory barriers to innovation, and the creation of conditions that foster sustainable economic growth.
The event also marked the official launch of the “Sofia Initiative – From Fragmentation to Scale – Accelerating EU Competitiveness.” The initiative represents a joint call by more than 100 Bulgarian leaders to accelerate economic integration, reduce barriers within the internal market, and strengthen the competitiveness of the European Union.
The document emphasizes the need for stronger connectivity between industrial ecosystems, the development of common European standards, and the creation of a more favorable environment for innovation and investment.
For the GATE Institute, participation in such strategic forums is a natural extension of its mission to advance research and innovation in the fields of data science, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence.
The Institute underlines the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and public institutions as a key factor in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and accelerating digital transformation.