Foreign Minister Rumyana Zheleva is the Bulgarian nominee for European Commissioner. She graduated in sociology from the St. Kliment of Ochrida Sofia University. Later she studied economic and industrial sociology in the Bielefeld University and the Free University of Berlin. She has a doctor’s degree in sociology from the Otto von Guericke – Universitaet, Germany. Ms Zheleva teaches sociology in the Sofia University and is also a research associate in the Sociology department of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Dr. Rumiana Zheleva is a guest lecturer of Magdeburg University, Germany. As a GERB party nominee, she was elected twice for a MEP and on December 10, 2009 she became vice president of the European People’s Party (EPP). Rumiana Zheleva was given the international co-operation, humanitarian aid, and crisis response dossier in the new commission team of EC President, Jose Manuel Barosso.
“I have always believed that Bulgaria can be a flourishing country on this continent”, Ms Zheleva said. “Bulgaria can be an important member of the EU and contribute to the consolidation and integration within the borders of the Union. I would like Bulgaria to reach the German level of political and social development and administration’s effectiveness. I have always wanted the European values and practices to be part of Bulgaria.”
Dr Rumiana Zheleva is pleased with the international co-operation, humanitarian aid, and crisis response dossier she was offered. She explained why:
“It is an important job as it aims at turning the EU into a major global political player, able to implement its policy outside the EU borders”, said Rumiana Zheleva. “As Europeans we bring certain values and good practices that would be helpful to countries outside the Union. This dossier is also an opportunity for me to work with more than 200 non-governmental organisations, which put into practice Europe’s solidarity. Last year more than 60 non-member states received help from the EU. It is a big responsibility as just the humanitarian aid budget is 1 billion euro. The dossier contains three files, which are humanitarian aid, crisis reaction, and international cooperation. After the Lisbon Treaty the EU has become the second biggest provider of humanitarian aid after the US. The humanitarian policy is now a joint European task, which would help the EU create necessary legislation and be efficient in providing help. Combining humanitarian aid and crisis reaction is also a good practice. The Lisbon Treaty will help the EU reach financial consolidation. Besides, according to the “solidarity clause” of the treaty, in cases of crises and natural disasters in a Member State, the other members would provide help. This is an opportunity for the EU to improve its security and to develop early warning systems in case of disasters.”
Dr Zheleva mentioned some of the challenges that lie ahead:
“2011 is the European Year of Volunteering. There are a number of things that can be done to increase the EU citizen’s awareness of volunteering. The Lisbon Treaty has specified a major goal, which is a socially oriented market economy. Countries like Austria and Germany have been developing for decades the principle of social commitment, which includes volunteer work. If I become a EU commissioner, I would work to establish the socially beneficial volunteer work as a common EU practice.”
Aid procedure simplification is an important task. How could that happen?
“We cannot speak about all kinds of aid in general”, said Ms Zheleva. It is the goal of the Barroso Commission to facilitate procedures. It aims at less bureaucracy and realization of the joint EU policy. Commissioners work in their sphere and propose legislation changes to ensure maximum efficiency, which is the basis of Mr. Barosso’s policy, i.e. reducing administrative barriers without impeding transparency.
English version: Alexander Markov
