Profile

I was appointed European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs in January 2007 at the time of the accession of Bulgaria to the European Union. It was a double honour for me to become both the first Commissioner to represent my country and the first to be given exclusive responsibility in the key area of consumers.

My political career started in June 2001 when I was elected as a Member of the Bulgarian Parliament, becoming deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, later Minister of European Affairs, and Chief Negotiator for the EU accession process. I also served as a Special Representative at the Convention on the Future of Europe in 2002/03.

My academic background is in law, with a particular emphasis on environmental issues and on human rights – areas in which I retain a very strong interest. Before devoting myself to politics full-time I was a Senior Legal Advisor to the Bulgarian Council of Ministers.

I was born in Sofia and I am married with one son.

You can consult my detailed CV here