site.btaEC President Proposes that Mariya Gabriel Take Over Digital Economy Portfolio

EC President Proposes that Mariya Gabriel Take Over Digital Economy Portfolio

Brussels/Strasbourg, May 16 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday interviewed Mariya Gabriel, the candidate proposed by the Bulgarian government as European Commissioner to replace former member of the Commission Kristalina Georgieva. The interview was held at the European Parliament offices in Strasbourg. The Commission released a short video in which Juncker and Gabriel pose for a few seconds for an official photo.

Juncker announced his intention to allocate the Digital Economy and Society portfolio to Gabriel, the European Commission press service reported.

The Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society will support the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy that the European Commission adopted in May 2015 and on the basis of which it presented a mid-term review. She will contribute to delivering a Digital Single Market helping to lay the groundwork for Europe's digital future with pan-continental telecoms networks, digital services that cross borders and a wave of innovative European start-ups, the press release says.

A mission letter which Juncker sent to Gabriel on Tuesday details her main tasks and responsibilities as Commissioner in charge of the Digital Economy and Society. The Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society will contribute to projects steered and coordinated by Vice-President Andrus Ansip in charge of the Digital Single Market and Vice-President Jyrki Katainen in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness.

Juncker also informed Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov of his choice for the portfolio he intends to allocate to Mariya Gabriel.

Procedurally, the new Commissioner is appointed by the Council of the EU by common accord with the President of the Commission after consultation of the European Parliament, the press release says.

Juncker has also sent a letter to European Parliament President Antonio Tajani informing the latter of his intention to allocate to Mariya Gabriel the responsibility for the Digital Economy and Society portfolio. This letter was sent in copy to Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta, currently holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU.

From the moment the Council of the EU formally consults the European Parliament, Gabriel will be Commissioner-Designate. She will then have the right to draw on the relevant Commission services to prepare for her exchange of views with the European Parliament. Prior to her appointment by the Council, by common accord with the President of the Commission, she will not be taking part in Commission meetings.

An exchange of views between Gabriel and the relevant Committee of the European Parliament is expected to take place in the coming weeks, the European Commission said.