Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has suggested that Bulgaria will be assigned a strong portfolio and will enjoy a much more vocal and dignified representation in the next European Commission.

Plevneliev gave a press conference after Saturday’s summit of EU leaders, during which Italy's Federica Mogherini was appointed as EU foreign policy chief and Poland's Donald Tusk as European Council President.

He underscored that the fact that outgoing Bulgarian EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva had made it among the three nominations for EU High Representative was great success, adding that Bulgarian institutions had put a lot off efforts into the campaign.

The consultations on the makeup of the new EC panel are to continue until September 7. According to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio, Plevneliev’s statement can be interpreted as a sign that Kristalina Georgieva will be awarded a position of EC Vice-President and that her portfolio has already been agreed upon.

During Saturday’s summit, EU leaders also gave Russia an ultimatum of seven days to reverse course in Ukraine or face further sanctions.

Asked to comment on further sanctions against Russia, Plevneliev said that the EU had to show decisiveness in order to prevent further escalation of the conflict with Ukraine.

“The crisis in Ukraine is definitely the biggest challenge to security in Europe after WWII” he stated, adding that a political solution of the conflict had to be found.

Calling for a categorical stance on the matter, he insisted that Russia’s actions were unacceptable, adding that the country had to be returned to the negotiating table.

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