Ekaterina Zaharieva received approval during the hearing by the Members of the European Parliament for the next Bulgarian European Commissioner

BRUSSELS – MEPs from the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy, and Culture approved Ekaterina Zaharieva as European Commissioner for start-ups, research, and innovation. The news was announced to the BTA by Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydel, a member of the Industry Committee.

Zaharieva stated in her introductory speech during the hearing that if she is finally approved by the European Parliament, she will work to increase investments in research and innovation to three percent of the gross domestic product of EU countries. She added that she would support the establishment of a European Forum for Innovation and Research and would advocate for a greater role for women in these fields.

The Bulgarian candidate said that Ukraine must be supported as long as necessary, and these words were met with applause from the MEPs. She noted that the EU does not support scientific developments that have military applications by Israel. Our greatest value is talents; our main goal is to retain brains in Europe and attract more gifted people – without them, scientific research is impossible, pointed out Zaharieva. According to her, it is necessary to introduce common standards for the pay of young researchers. Zaharieva announced that she would propose a strategy for the development of European research infrastructure.

She added that she plans to propose a bill aimed at protecting the freedom of scientific research. According to her, more trust is needed among the EU countries to achieve mutual recognition of diplomas and qualifications. There is a clear benefit to increasing the research budget; this is necessary for economic growth and European competitiveness. Private investments are crucial, added Zaharieva. She expressed readiness to work with the scientific community on artificial intelligence – for its development and application.

According to her, research in the field of nuclear energy is important for achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

MEPs from the parliamentary committees asked Zaharieva about a hundred questions. She described the three-hour hearing as a very fruitful discussion and thanked them for the honest approach.
“I am grateful to all the representatives of the European Parliament who asked their questions,” Zaharieva told journalists in Brussels immediately after the hearing. She expressed hope that she had managed in the time given to present her vision for the portfolio entrusted to her.

“I am pleased to note that with a large majority Mrs. Zaharieva received the support of the main coordinators in this committee and the main political groups,” Maydel told the BTA. In her words, all the coordinators were very impressed by the hearing and supported Zaharieva unanimously.

Ekaterina Zaharieva was nominated by GERB-SDS (“European People’s Party”). The new composition of the European Commission is expected to be voted on by the MEPs by the end of the month. (November 5)