Ekaterina Zaharieva has been confirmed as the new Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation.
Congratulations, @EZaharievaMFA!#EPHearing #Zaharieva pic.twitter.com/SCUAf22R4r
— EPP Group (@EPPGroup) November 5, 2024
Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgaria’s EU Commission designate, received support from lawmakers today to become the bloc’s first Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation. During a three-hour hearing in Brussels, Zaharieva pledged to cut red tape and simplify access to EU funding for startups and SMEs. “I plan to work on simplifying access, this will save a lot of time,” she said.
Zaharieva also promised to engage national finance ministers in dialogues to promote investment in startups and research.
The hearing of Commissioner-designate for Startups, Research and Innovation, @EZaharievaMFA, kicks off shortly.
?Watch here: https://t.co/GXLbX4PI53
?And follow our live coverage in this thread ⤵️#EPHearing #Zaharieva pic.twitter.com/9iKZSRbDpv
— EPP Group (@EPPGroup) November 5, 2024
“EU funding is not enough itself; I will speak with finance ministers to show them the added value of more investment,” she noted. Some lawmakers expressed concerns over Zaharieva’s lack of technology expertise.
Our Group has decided to support Commissioner-designate Ekaterina Zaharieva for the portfolio of Startups, Research and Innovation.
Our coordinator Dan Nica has details on the outcome of deliberations and our expectations. pic.twitter.com/sJVENSWAEV
— S&D Group (@TheProgressives) November 5, 2024
Filip Turek stated, “We don’t need another diplomat.” Per Clausen urged her to stop funding Israeli defense projects through Horizon Europe.
Support for Zaharieva’s startup plans
Zaharieva responded, “No project foresees defense-related funding.
We have a strict monitoring system. These are civilian applications, and no exception is allowed.”
??EP Hearings – time to scrutinise commissioner-designate Ekaterina Zaharieva.
We will pay close attention to her intentions and plans to deliver on EU's research and innovation. pic.twitter.com/cJEEafgmGU
— S&D Group (@TheProgressives) November 5, 2024
She highlighted her focus on talent development and retaining talent within Europe. “The biggest asset that we have is our talent.
The most important goal is to keep them; without the talent there will be no investment,” she asserted. Zaharieva also committed to setting a target of having 50% women on all boards, expert groups, and commissions in the Horizon Europe research funding program. The 26 Commissioners-designate will face a final confirmation vote in the plenary session in Strasbourg from November 25-28.
Zaharieva’s performance in this initial test will shape her role and influence within the European Commission.
