Thumbs Up for Bulgaria's Kuneva

Politics » BULGARIA IN EU | November 28, 2006, Tuesday // 00:00
Bulgaria: Thumbs Up for Bulgaria's Kuneva The internal market and consumer protection committee with the European Parliament backed Bulgaria's Commissioner-designate Meglena Kuneva (front), pictured here close to committee head Arlene McCarthy. Photo by the European Parliament

The internal market and consumer protection committee with the European Parliament assessed positively Bulgaria's Commissioner-designate Meglena Kuneva.

The statement came after Kuneva, slated to take over the consumer protection portfolio, passed the first hurdle in EP on Monday with a three-hour test.

In a letter to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the chair of the committee Arlene McCarthy says Meglena Kuneva fully meets the personal requirements for independence and competency.

Meglena Kuneva has the professional experience for the role of a commissioner, responsible for customer protection issues, the letter says.

The committee adds that it would like to see Kuneva further clarify how she plans to put her political goals into practice.

On Monday Kuneva answered a number of questions by MEPs and observers in a hearing to assess her suitability for the role of European commissioner for consumer protection. She vowed to strengthen communications with the European parliament and national governments and to act as consumers' "advocate".

The vote of approval of the Bulgarian and Romanian Commissioners designate will take place during the December plenary session in Strasbourg. Following the Parliament's vote, the two Commissioners will be formally appointed by the Council. After their appointment, the Commissioners will take an oath before the Court of Justice.

The new Commissioners' mandates will expire at the end of October 2009, at the same time as the Commissioners already in office.

Meglena Kuneva, 49, is Bulgaria's European affairs minister. She has led Bulgaria's entry talks since 2001.

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