site.btaMEP Tsvetelina Penkova: Bulgarian Candidate for EU Commissioner Demonstrated Preparedness, Knowledge on Topics

In an interview for BTA's Ivo Tassev, Bulgarian MEP Tsvetelina Penkova (Bulgarian Socialist Party/S&D) commented that the Bulgarian candidate for European Commissioner, Ekaterina Zaharieva, demonstrated preparedness and knowledge on the topics during her confirmation hearing in the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday. Penkova, Vice Chair of the EP Industry, Research and Energy Committee hearing Zaharieva, said that the hearing went normally and with a constructive tone.

"Quite a few topics were raised of importance to every single political group, and I think that Mrs Zaharieva demonstrated preparedness and knowledge on the topics. Of course, from here onward, we expect a little more depth in the analysis and specifics of the policies that will be applied," Penkova noted.

Commenting on Zaharieva's intention to increase investment in innovation and research to 3% of the EU Member States' GDP, Penkova said: "That is the big target set for the European budgets. There is more to be desired with the goal of investment and support for the sector, and without investment and real support we cannot talk about technologies and innovation. They are directly linked to the creation of a working and competitive economy. Therefore, I still believe that there is what to invest in. Research and development should be a leading activity in the EU, because Bulgaria and many other countries have proven themselves at the idea level. We have prepared people, we have talents, we have ideas and we should be able to make them happen in a way that they have value added," Penkova argued.