Ekaterina Zaharieva is Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission.

Her task is to drive the EU’s ambition to put research and innovation, science and technology at the centre of our economy. She fosters investment and cooperation, creating the right conditions for researchers to thrive and develop new skills, and the innovation needed for the EU’s competitiveness, security and sustainability goals.

Ms Zaharieva is a Bulgarian lawyer with a long political career. She held various post including Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Head of Cabinet of the President, and member of parliament.