Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian candidate for EU commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva to be heard by EP

Photo: АП/БТА

Bulgaria's candidate for European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, will be heard today by the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee. 

The hearings for the Commissioner candidates, which started on 4 November, last 3 hours, but may be extended to 4 hours in case of additional questions and political agreement. An introductory speech by the candidate is given 15 minutes.

One of Ekaterina Zaharieva's main priorities, as outlined in her letter of motivation, is to increase investment in research and development to 3% of the EU's gross domestic product. According to her, this will be achieved by increasing EU funding, mobilising private capital and developing public-private partnerships.

The new Commission is expected to take office on 1 December.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria buys 35 EMUs for state railways

A contract for the purchase of 35 electric multiple units (EMUs) has been signed at the Council of Ministers. This is the largest order placed by the Bulgarian state in the last 20 years and the largest investment in rolling stock, announced Transport..

published on 4/25/25 1:50 PM
Atanas Zapryanov

Bulgaria needs to reorganize and modernize its arms industry, says Minister Zapryanov

If we delay and do not reorganize and modernize our arms industry, in 5-6 years it will be exotic for the European arms market. This is a major challenge", said Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov during the discussion “The Hague 2025:..

published on 4/25/25 12:01 PM
Mark Rutte

Bulgaria meets NATO's target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense

In 2024, Bulgaria spent USD 2.208 billion (3.964 billion BGN), or 2.04% of its GDP, on defense, reads the annual report of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. For the first time, the country has met the NATO target set in 2014, which requires each..

published on 4/25/25 10:53 AM