...

Logo Pasino du Havre - Casino-Hôtel - Spa
in partnership with
Logo Nextory

EU's first start-up commissioner approved, promising to promote investment

Business • Nov 5, 2024, 3:23 PM
3 min de lecture
1

Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgaria’s EU Commission designate, today received the backing from lawmakers to become the bloc’s first ever Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, giving MEPs a pledge to engage national finance ministers in dialogue to promote investment. 

Zaharieva (EPP), who previously was Bulgaria's Foreign Minister (2017 to 2021) and Minister Justice from 2015 to 2017, got the go-ahead from the chairs and coordinators who vote behind closed doors, after the public hearing, Bulgarian lawmaker Eva Maydell (EPP) said on X.

Criticism during the hearing came from lawmakers Filip Turek (Czechia/Patriots for Europe) and Per Clausen (Denmark/GUE-NGL). Turek said she lacked technology expertise, adding: "We don't need another diplomat."

Clausen asked her to stop funding Israeli defence projects through Horizon Europe. Zaharieva said in response that "no project foresees defence related funding. We have a strict monitoring system. These are civilian applications, and no exception is allowed."  

In a three-hour hearing in Brussels, Zaharieva promised to cut red tape and make it easier for start-ups and SMEs to apply for funding, when approved. “I plan to work on simplifying access, this will save a lot of time,” she said, adding that she “understands the needs of the sector”.

She said that she will work to convince national finance and economy ministers to invest in research and development. 

“[EU] Funding is not enough itself, I will speak with finance ministers to show them the added value of more investment,” she said, adding that there is momentum with the Draghi report, which also called for more investment.

She said that talent development and creating the right climate to keep talent in Europe, is a topic dear to her heart. “The biggest asset that we have is our talent. The most important goal is to keep them, without the talent there will be no investment,” she said. 

In addition, she will set a target to have 50% women on all boards, expert groups and commissions in research funding program Horizon Europe. 

The 26 Commissioners-designate face a final confirmation vote in the 25-28 November plenary session in Strasbourg.


Today

South Korea fines Meta €14 million for illegally collecting information on Facebook users
Business • 4:01 PM
4 min
South Korea said Meta put the privacy of Facebook users at risk by failing to implement basic security measures.
Read the article
EU's first start-up commissioner approved, promising to promote investment
Business • 3:23 PM
3 min
Bulgaria's Commission designate will make it easier for SMEs and start-ups to apply for EU funding.
Read the article
Netflix's European offices searched over suspected tax fraud
Business • 2:53 PM
2 min
Offices of the streaming giant have been searched in France and the Netherlands, as part of an investigation into suspected tax fraud.
Read the article
US Election: What technologies will Europe invest in if the US moves military resources elsewhere?
Business • 2:42 PM
5 min
Experts in military technology say that whoever wins the White House will likely shift US military equipment to other areas than Europe. We look at what will the EU have to do to make up any shortfall in its defence tech.
Read the article
Stick to the fossil fuel car ban, says incoming EU transport chief
Business • 1:47 PM
5 min
Incoming Greek commissioner wins over MEPs with confident performance throughout a gruelling hearing that saw him reject calls to slow the switch to electric vehicles.
Read the article
UK introduces anti-tobacco bill to 'break the cycle of addiction'
Business • 1:45 PM
2 min
The UK is introducing new anti-tobacco legislation that could make it harder for today's children to legally buy cigarettes.
Read the article
Thousands of jobs to go at German car parts maker Schaeffler
Business • 11:50 AM
2 min
The company is downsizing at 10 locations in Germany and five other sites in Europe, further illustrating the challenges facing the European car industry.
Read the article
Nintendo reports lower profits as demand drops for its ageing Switch console
Business • 11:08 AM
3 min
Nintendo and other game and toy makers rake in their biggest profits during the Christmas shopping season.
Read the article
US presidential election: Agencies warn Russia disinformation risks 'inciting violence'
Business • 10:19 AM
5 min
Russia is the "most active threat" as false stories and videos of election fraud pose a risk of violence, US agencies warned.
Read the article
Boeing factory workers bring an end to turbulence as they vote to return to work
Business • 10:10 AM
4 min
The move clears the way for the aerospace giant to resume production of its bestselling airliner and generate much-needed cash.
Read the article
Meta extends political ads ban past US election day
Business • 9:19 AM
2 min
Meta is extending a ban on new political ads on their platforms to “later this week,” according to an update from the social media giant.
Read the article
AI chipmaker Nvidia to join Dow Jones, replacing rival Intel
Business • 7:40 AM
4 min
The addition of Nvidia to the Dow Jones Industrial Average is a notable milestone, suggesting a more stable outlook for the AI chipmaker in its continued rise and increasing prominence in the tech sector.
Read the article
US election: Where do presidential candidates Trump and Harris stand on crypto?
Business • 6:30 AM
8 min
Euronews Next breaks down Trump and Harris’ views on the crypto industry, which has contributed millions to the election.
Read the article