European Commission (EC) President Manuel Barroso told a news conference on Wednesday that he does not plan changes in the portfolio of the Bulgarian commissioner-designate and confirmed that he will be meeting with the nominee, Kristalina Georgieva, on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Bulgaria's Council of Ministers formally decided to nominate Georgieva for Bulgarian member of the Barroso II Commission, granting a request by the previous nominee, Rumiana Jeleva, for the withdrawal of her candidacy which was approved by a Cabinet decision on November 12, 2009, the Government Information Service said.

Jeleva stepped down on Tuesday in the wake of a controversial confirmation hearing by the European Parliament (EP) last week.

Barroso and Georgieva are expected to discuss the latter's professional interests. It will then become clear whether or not she will be proposed the same portfolio as was designated for Jeleva, International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.

The leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the EP Guy Verhofstadt commented that the new Bulgarian candidate seems well prepared for the EP hearing on matters of international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response which has come in the focus of attention after the devastating Haiti quake.

He went on to say that if Georgieva is confirmed by the EP, Barroso will have a strong and motivated college of commissioners who will set the policy of the European Union for the next five years.

Source: BTA