site.btaPM Denkov, Deputy PM Gabriel to Confer with Bulgarian Commissioner Iliana Ivanova

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel will confer with European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth Iliana Ivanova on Thursday, the Government Information Service said on Wednesday. This is Ivanova's first official visit to this country after taking office as European Commission (EC) member from Bulgaria.

After the meeting, Denkov, Gabriel, and Ivanova will make a joint statement to the media at the Council of Ministers at 10 am.

The Bulgarian Commissioner's agenda also includes meetings with President Rumen Radev, National Assembly Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov, Education Minister Galin Tzokov, Culture Minister Krastyu Krastev, and Innovation and Growth Minister Milena Stoycheva, the EC Representative Office in Bulgaria said. Ivanova will hold discussions with GERB leader and Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Boyko Borissov.

The Council of the European Union appointed Iliana Ivanova as the new Bulgarian Commissioner on September 19, by common accord with EC President Ursula von der Leyen. The appointment followed the resignation of Mariya Gabriel as Commissioner and is for the remainder of the term of office of the Commission, which runs until October 31, 2024. Ivanova’s appointment was approved by an overwhelming majority in the European Parliament (EP) after successful hearings by two EP committees. Until her appointment as Commissioner, Ivanova served as Bulgaria’s representative to the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg. Prior to that, she was an MEP from GERB/EPP.

In her first interview with BTA, Ivanova expressed appreciation for her predecessors Meglena Kuneva, Kristalina Georgieva, and Mariya Gabriel. She expects to continue their path for Bulgaria's worthy representation in the EC. Ivanova said she is faced with many challenges, one of them being the need for the EU to listen to people and talk with them in a language they understand.