Vice President Iliyana Yotova expressed mixed feelings about the appointment of Ekaterina Zaharieva for the Bulgarian European Commissioner with the department of startups, research and innovation. The vice-president shared that she had hoped that Bulgaria would receive a department related to regional and cohesion policy. She argued her position, saying: "We need Bulgaria to say its hard word about a policy that is being questioned today. Much of the funds earmarked for cohesion policy – the cohesion policy of the European regions, unfortunately go into other feathers".
In a comment to journalists before an event at the Residence of the French Embassy in Bulgaria, Yotova shared her thoughts on the proposed portfolio.
"I am personally a little disappointed, because I expected Bulgaria to receive some of the more resourceful departments," said Vice President Yotova. However, she expressed her support for Zaharieva, wishing her success in the upcoming trial before the European Parliament and the relevant committees.
Iotova emphasized the importance of interpersonal relationships in Zaharieva's new role: "It is not the post that makes the person, but the person that makes the post. I trust that she will have a very good relationship with her Romanian colleague, who will obviously be the head of the Bulgarian department, as well as with at least three or four European Commissioners, in whose departments there is contact with the portfolio that Bulgaria received.
Iotova also expressed regret that the responsibility for the enlargement of the European Union was granted to Slovenia, and not to Bulgaria. She commented: "I dreamed that Bulgaria would also be responsible for the expansion. It is not good that the expansion is going to another Balkan country – Slovenia, as well as migration policy in Austria".
Despite the expressed reservations, the vice president ended on a positive note, acknowledging the challenges facing Zaharieva: "Ekaterina Zaharieva will need a lot of diplomatic efforts and gifts to cope. I sincerely wish her success.
Iotova's comments were made in the context of the celebration of 45 years of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and France, an event which is being held at the Residence of the French Embassy in Bulgaria.