Kristalina Georgieva
| Kristalina Georgieva | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 9 February 2010 |
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| President | José Manuel Barroso |
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| Preceded by | Karel De Gucht (Development and Humanitarian Aid) |
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| Born | 13 August 1953 Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Alma mater | University of National and World Economy Harvard Business School London School of Economics Massachusetts Institute of Technology Salzburg Global Seminar |
| Profession | Political economist |
Kristalina Ivanova Georgieva (Bulgarian: Кристалина Иванова Георгиева, born on August 13, 1953 in Sofia, Bulgaria[1]) is a Bulgarian economist, currently serving as European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response in the second college of the Barroso Commission.[2][3]
She was appointed as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group in March 2008; in January 2010 she announced her intention to resign from this post in view of her nomination to the Commission of the European Union.[4] She has also served as a member of the board of trustees[5] and associated professor in the Economics Department of the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria.[6] On 19 January 2010 she became Bulgaria's replacement European Commissioner nominee for the second college of the Barroso Commission.[7] Georgieva is affiliated on the European level with the European People's Party (EPP).
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[edit] Background
Kristalina Georgieva holds a Ph.D. in Economics and a M.A. in Political Economy and Sociology from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. She also did post-graduate research and studies in natural resource economics and environmental policy at the London School of Economics and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to joining the World Bank as an Environmental Economist in 1993, she held a range of academic and consulting positions in Bulgaria and the US, and has lectured on development topics in universities around the world, including the Australian National University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tsinghua University, Yale University, Harvard University, London School of Economics, the University of the South Pacific and others.[8] At the World Bank she served inter alia as a Director in the Environment Department and as Director of the institution's Moscow office. Her final position at the World Bank, VP and Corporate Secretary, conveys lead responsibility for liaison with the members of the institution's Board of Executive Directors, representing the Bank's shareholders (the member country governments).
[edit] European Commissioner
After the former Bulgarian nominee, Rumiana Jeleva, came under fire from members of the European Parliament during the confirmation hearing over both her competence for the post and allegations of gaps in her declaration of financial interests, she withdrew her bid, and Kristalina Georgieva was proposed as a new pick by the Bulgarian government.[7] On January 21, 2010 the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso met with Georgieva and expressed his approval, stating that "Mrs. Georgieva has solid international experience and knowledge with which she is going to contribute significantly in her capacity as a EU Commissioner."[9]
The confirmation hearing of Georgieva took place at the European Parliament on February 4, 2010. She faced questions on her suitability for the international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response portfolio. Georgieva identified Haiti as a priority, especially the need to provide shelter and health services and to restore the functions and service of the government, so as to start work on reconstruction and long-term development. Other key issues raised in discussions with MEPs had been improving co-ordination within the EU (and within the Commission), and between humanitarian and military players in order to meet the dual challenge posed by expanding needs and shrinking budgets. The need to improve the effectiveness of EU actions and for better response capacity had also been stressed, together with the establishment of European Voluntary Humanitarian Corps.[10]
Georgieva was given a warm response by MEPs, with Labour MEP Michael Cashman praising her "honesty and deep breadth of knowledge". She was applauded by committee members when she told British Conservative MEP Nirj Deva that she would stand up for the interests of the EU and be an independent mind.[11] Ivo Vajgl, a Liberal MEP, also praised her, saying: "let me compliment you on your peaceful manner and the confidence you are exuding today".[12]
The second college of the Barroso Commission, including Georgieva, was approved by the European Parliament on 9 February 2010 by a vote of 488 to 137, with 72 abstentions,[2] and took office the following day.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ "Who is Kristalina Georgieva?". FOCUS News Agency. 2010-01-19. http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n207230. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ a b "EU Approves New Commission". The Wall Street Journal/Associated Press. 2010-02-09. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704820904575055030494399618.html. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
- ^ a b Toby Vogel (2010-02-11). "New team takes office". European Voice. http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/new-team-takes-office/67103.aspx. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
- ^ "World Bank appoints Kristalina Georgieva as vice president". AFX News Limited. 2008-02-22. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2008/02/22/afx4684866.html. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ "УНСС : Структура : Съвет на настоятелите" (in Bulgarian). UNWE. http://www.unwe.acad.bg/?lang=bg&page_id=6&item=670. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ "УНСС : Общоикономически факултет : Катедра Икономикс : Състав" (in Bulgarian). UNWE. http://www.unwe.acad.bg/?page_id=6&subitem=27&f_menu=2&d_id=1&d_menu=2. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ a b "Under-fire EU Commission nominee stands down". AFP. 2010-01-19. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jW8Ha0CfaTHchF2nLScQYqF76dIw. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ "The World Bank > News > Kristalina Georgieva". The World Bank Group. http://go.worldbank.org/0N6FKLRSL0. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ "Barroso Welcomes New Bulgarian EU Commissioner-Designate Georgieva". Novinite. 2010-01-21. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=112236. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ "MEPs quiz new Bulgarian candidate Kristalina Georgieva". European Parliament. 2010-02-03. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/hearings/headlines/product.htm?language=EN&ref=20100128STO68176&secondRef=0. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ^ "Democracy Live - European Parliament". BBC. 2010-02-03. http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/europe/newsid_8494000/8494074.stm. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ^ Joshua Chaffin (2010-02-04). "Bulgaria’s nominee well-received by MEPs". Financial Times. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fdc3233e-10e6-11df-9a9e-00144feab49a.html. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
[edit] External links
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Meglena Kuneva |
Bulgarian European Commissioner 2010–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Karel De Gucht as European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid |
European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response 2010–present |
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