Bulgaria’s Ekaterina Zaharieva has been selected as the EU’s first-ever Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation for the next five years (2024-2029).
The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was elected for a second mandate.
Zaharieva, a member of Bulgaria’s GERB party, is an experienced politician, having served as deputy prime minister for judicial reform and foreign affairs between 2017 and 2021 as well as Minister of Justice between 2015 and 2017.
She’s currently a member of the Bulgarian Parliament.
“We must put research and innovation, science and technology at the centre of our economy. She will help ensure that we invest more and focus our spending on strategic priorities and groundbreaking innovation,” says von der Leyen.
Ekaterina Zaharieva’s mission
Zaharieva’s primary mission is to create better conditions for researchers and innovators, focusing on fundamental research and disruptive innovation.
Additionally, she has the responsibility of expanding the European Innovation Council and the European Research Council.
To promote the free movement of researchers and technology, Zaharieva has to propose a European Research Area Act. This act aims to reduce research fragmentation and integrate innovation and research into the Single Market.
Von der Leyen has tasked Zaharieva to prioritise fostering knowledge and innovation by implementing a long-term strategy to boost European Research Infrastructure.
In terms of competitiveness, Zaharieva has to streamline the regulatory framework with a European Innovation Act. This act aims to facilitate access to venture capital for European innovative startups and support them in testing new solutions and technologies.
Zaharieva is also entrusted to develop an EU startup and scale-up strategy to enhance the framework conditions for startups and scale-ups.
Ekaterina Zaharieva is tasked with creating a network of Trusted Investors to bring together deep tech investors across Europe.
She will also prepare a new multi-disciplinary Strategy for European Life Sciences and focus on developing an Advanced Materials Act.
Additionally, Zaharieva will propose a strategy to increase the uptake of AI by European scientists and work on strengthening research security.
Ekaterina Zaharieva will also lead efforts to reinforce international research and innovation cooperation and contribute to further developing the New European Bauhaus, with a focus on innovation and bio-based materials.
