GRNET actively participated in the official kick-off meeting of the SBIQCI (Sofia–Bucharest Interconnection of Quantum Communication Infrastructure) project, held on 19 March 2026 in Sofia, bringing together key stakeholders from across the EuroQCI ecosystem.
Dr. Ilias Papastamatiou, Senior Project Manager at GRNET and Coordinator of HellasQCI and SEEWQCI EuroQCI projects, delivered the welcoming remarks highlighting the strategic importance of cross-border quantum communication infrastructures and the role of the emerging Balkan quantum terrestrial corridor linking Athens, Sofia, and Bucharest. In this context, he also underlined the key role of HellasQCI, BGQCI, and RoNaQCI, the National Quantum Communication Infrastructures, as foundational building blocks enabling cross-border interconnections and the transition from national deployments to a European-scale infrastructure.
As he noted: “Together with SBIQCI, we are shaping a strategic terrestrial Balkan quantum corridor, connecting Athens, Sofia, and Bucharest, and linking South-Eastern Europe with Central and Western Europe. This corridor is not only a technical development; it is a strategic asset for Europe’s secure connectivity and a key pillar of the next phase of EuroQCI deployment. It also reflects the excellent cooperation and strong relations between Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania, providing a solid foundation for a truly integrated cross-border quantum infrastructure.”
Dr. Papastamatiou also conveyed the strong support of the Greek Government, noting that Prof. Konstantinos Karantzalos, Secretary General of Telecommunications and Posts of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, expressed his full support for the development of the South-East European terrestrial corridor and its strategic benefits for both the region and Europe.
The high-level session featured distinguished representatives, including: Mr. Borislav Bankov, Deputy Minister of Innovations and Growth of Bulgaria, Ms. Yordanka Chobanova, Head of Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, Mr. Ivaylo Konakchiyski, Deputy Chairperson of the State Commission for Information Security and Mr. Tzanetos Karantzis, Minister Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Bulgaria. The event also brought together leading representatives from the EuroQCI ecosystem, including Dr. Alin Bogdan Popa, Technical Coordinator of the ROGS project (Romania), and Prof. Laszlo Bacsardi, Coordinator of CEQCI (Hungary), among others.
Dr. Alexis Aivaliotis and Ms. Nana Anastasopoulou, GRNET, presented the SEEWQCI project, its cross-border vision, and its role in interconnecting national quantum communication infrastructures across Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and the Netherlands. In particular, SEEWQCI foresees 29 large-scale demonstrations, including 9 involving Bulgaria, covering both terrestrial and hybrid scenarios, as well as cross-border connections between Bulgaria, Cyprus, and the Netherlands, further reinforcing Bulgaria’s key role within the regional quantum communication ecosystem.
The SBIQCI project marks an important milestone in strengthening regional cooperation in South-Eastern Europe, contributing to the development of a secure and interoperable European quantum communication infrastructure under the EuroQCI initiative. In this context, SEEWQCI, SBIQCI, CEQCI, and ROGS operate as complementary and mutually reinforcing initiatives, collectively shaping a coherent regional ecosystem and accelerating the implementation of EuroQCI across South-East Europe.
As both SEEWQCI and SBIQCI advance in parallel, they are shaping a resilient, cross-border quantum network connecting Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, and the Netherlands. The synergy demonstrated at this kick-off meeting is a major step toward the envisaged Balkan QCI corridor that will effectively serve as a digital gateway connecting the Balkans to Western Europe. Through these strengthened partnerships, aligned strategies, and tangible infrastructure milestones, Europe is on the fast track towards a secure, quantum-safe operational digital ecosystem.
