EU: The European Commission has designated Bulgaria's EU affairs minister as the future commissioner for consumer protection but refused to immediately endorse Romania's choice for a commission post.
Commission president José Manuel Barroso warmly greeted the Bulgarian government's nominee, Meglena Kuneva, who is highly regarded in Brussels for her efforts to push forward political reforms in Bulgaria during its accession talks.
"I am convinced that Ms Kuneva has the professional and political qualities, as well as the personal commitment and necessary experience, to accomplish all the tasks which I am proposing to make her responsible for," said Mr Barroso after talks with the Bulgarian appointee.
Ms Kuneva (49), a lawyer and a former university teacher and journalist, has led Bulgaria's entry talks with the commission since 2001.
However, despite a similar meeting in Brussels with the Romanian nominee, senator Varujan Vosganian, Mr Barroso did not immediately endorse or allocate a commission portfolio to him. Instead, in a statement he said only that consultations to designate the Romanian commissioner were ongoing.
Romania and Bulgaria both have the right to nominate a commissioner, who will join the EU executive when the two states join the EU in January. However, the commission, in consultation with member states, must agree to the candidates before the European Parliament holds a public hearing to vet each candidate.
EU sources said Mr Barroso's hesitancy was understandable given that socialist MEPs had already expressed concern about Mr Vosganian, who they claim is "on the payroll" of big business.
In a joint statement two socialist MEPs, Hannes Swoboda and Jan Marinus Wiersma, said the Bulgarian candidate was well known for her European attitudes and political involvement, whereas the Romanian was unknown.
"What is known is that he has been very much on the right wing of politics and on the payroll of big economic tycoons," said the MEPs, who warned that the appointment of the senator would push the political focus of the commission to the right.
Mr Vosganian (48) is chairman of the Romanian senate's budget and finance committee and is known for supporting free-market policies.