site.btaBulgarian EU Commissioner-designate Zaharieva Points Out Necessity of Research and Innovation Investment Increase in Hearing Opening Speech

During her confirmation hearing at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Bulgaria’s candidate for EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva said in her opening speech that, if elected, she would work to increase investment in research and innovation to 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the EU member states. 

Zaharieva noted that she will create a European Forum for Innovation and Research and will insist on a greater role for women in these areas if she is approved as European Commissioner.

The hearing was preceded by a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Valencia flash floods. In her opening remarks, Zaharieva also expressed her sincere sympathy to the relatives of the victims of the floods in Spain.

Zaharieva expressed gratitude for her consideration, and said that her administrative and political experience at a high level will help her in the development of her portfolio, which is the basis of the European competitiveness programme.

"I will work tirelessly so that there is no brain drain from the European Union. The lack of coordination in the actions between the EU member states makes it difficult to achieve high results," continued the Bulgarian candidate for European Commissioner, and noted that this leads to an an ineffective funding system. She added that the European Research Council allocates only 8% of its budget to innovation. 

Zaharieva outlined her key priorities, including strengthening the European Research Area with a new legislative act; increasing investment in innovation and research from 2.3% to 3% of GDP; a comprehensive strategy for start-ups and the establishment of a European Forum, working with Ukrainian researchers and educators; increasing the role of women to an equal 50%.

If approved, Zaharieva will be one of 11 women in the new European Commission, whose president will again be Ursula von der Leyen.

Twenty-three Bulgarian journalists and over 40 MEPS from various political groups attended the hearing, which includes a presentation by the commissioner-designate of some 15 minutes, followed by statements by coordinators of the political groups.