It’s been a curious time for Bulgaria’s new European Commissioner, Rumiana Jeleva, who abruptly left her post as Foreign Minister to take on the task of being the EU’s head of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis, a task that is always unpredictable and hurtles the person in charge into the forefront of some the worst problems in the world. She stopped during the European People’s Party Congress in Bonn, Germany last month to talk about her new role and the future of the EU and the EPP. It’s a demanding role because the EU is traditionally generous with its aid, particularly in times of natural disasters and other catastrophes, and she will be called upon to make choices about where the funds go, and how much

We now have a new Commission in place, new EPP-dominated Parliament, Lisbon is through, surely everything is ready to go for a new vision of Europe?

Exactly. The Lisbon Treaty is giving us new possibilities, new chances. Also it can encourage us to create a new vision for Europe. And this new vision should be to get in the end of the day more united Europe, so, without new and old member states, without any division between the regions of our continent. So I think we have a very important chance right now to work together for more united Europe, more competitive Europe and more, at the end, successful Europe
 
It seems that with the way things are at the moment the passing of Lisbon means Europe can stop looking inwards and can begin looking outwards a little bit more. Do you see that as being the next step?

Yes, I hope so! As the Commissioner designated for integration and cooperation of humanitarian aid and also crisis response we should see European Union as a global player, global actor, very successful, looking more, as you mentioned, outside and carrying out many many successful projects outside of the European Union. I think we have the potential for that so the more united we are the more successful we are in this area

Being Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis must be an incredible responsibility for you to bear. What do you think you will bring to this job?

It is too early now to explain, in detail, more about the portfolio. I would prefer to tell you today at the Congress day that I am very happy, very glad to be here to try really advocating for Europe with idea, with vision for people outside the European Union

You’re also standing for the Vice-President of the EPP. What made you go for that? 

It is important and very honorable task. I would like to bring the Bulgarian point of view into the EPP family. My party is among the newest members of our political family and I would like to become a member of the presidency of the EPP because of Bulgaria, because I am convinced we have much more potential that we have shown at the moment

Do you think that now the younger member states are reaching the level of maturity where they can be involved more deeply in Europe?

Yes, I am convinced that we can give more ideas. Maybe also our love for freedom and liberty, our fight against the Communist regime is a very important experience for the entire EPP family
 
What are you hoping that the EPP will achieve in the next couple of years?

I think that the most important achievement should be to go closer to the citizens of Europe, to spread our ideas, to encourage people to vote for Europe, to vote for our family, for the EPP family

Rumiana Jeleva is European Commissioner designate for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, and Bulgaria's Foreign Minister. From May 2007-May 2009 Rumiana Jeleva was a Member of the European Parliament and the EPP-ED group there, and is a member of the GERB party of Bulgaria.