The Bulgarian candidate Meglena Kuneva holds a doctorate degree in law and has worked on environmental issues in Bulgaria, as well as for international organisations, such as the World Bank. Since 2001 she is deputy minister of foreign affairs and chief negotiator for Bulgaria with the EU. In 2002 she was elected special representative for Bulgaria to the Convention on the Future of the EU.
Varujan Vosganian holds a doctorate degree in economics and is the president of the Union of Armenians in Romania. He is founder and former president of the “Union of the Right-wing Forces” party. Currently he is spokesman and MP for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. According to Mediafax, Vosganian was proposed and especially favoured by Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu. Tariceanu said: "I strongly believe that the solid political experience and the professional profile of Mr. Varujan Vosganian recommends him for this position."
The official decision will be announced on October 26 2006, following the Council meeting.
The European Parliament hearings of the two candidates is expected to take place 27-29 November 2006. The Parliament is to vote on the new commissioners on 4 January 2007.
EurActiv.ro has contributed to this article.
