Just days after being elected president of the European Energy Forum, the BSP MEP Tsvetelina Penkova was unanimously elected as the first deputy chairperson of one of the most - the key committees for Bulgaria and the EU in the European Parliament - the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
Penkova has considerable experience in the commission, gained during the 5 years of the previous mandate. The Bulgarian MEP was a key factor in the adoption and creation of legislation important for Bulgaria and the EU, related to the creation of new industries, energy efficiency, nuclear energy, small and start-up enterprises. Tsvetelina Penkova will be the first deputy chairperson of the commission and will directly participate in the preparation of the legal framework, its priorities and program. She will also preside over meetings of the commission.
Penkova stated: “This election is recognition for Bulgaria and for BSP - for the experience of our experts in the field of energy and industry. In my work until now, I have always worked together with them to ensure that Bulgaria's national interest in the field of energy and industry is protected in every single European legislation. I will continue to work in coordination with the representatives of the Bulgarian industry and energy, with the trade unions and branch organizations, in order to defend the Bulgarian interest with dignity and for our voice to be heard at the highest level in the determination of European policies.“
Tsvetelina Penkova stated that the main priority in her work will be the re-industrialization of Europe - new industries with high-paying jobs in Bulgaria and the EU. “The green deal is now becoming an industrial deal. This is what I promised in the election campaign and I will work hard in this direction. In the coming years, Bulgaria has the opportunity to attract foreign investments in high-tech industries using the most efficient and affordable energy sources. This is the main priority in the current mandate of the European institutions and we must take advantage of this opportunity. Gone are the days when we attracted investment with low-wage labor. Bulgarians deserve high incomes and quality jobs – this is what we will fight for. We must now focus on areas of high added value where we have a competitive advantage and prepared experts. This is the only way we will revive the Bulgarian economy so that it will be operational and competitive again," the MEP concluded.