The Bulgarian MEP from GERB/EPP Group Eva Paunova was elected Vice-President (International Associations) of European Movement International (EMI) – the largest organisation of associations and civil societies in Europe. This is the highest position in an international non-governmental organisation currently held by a Bulgarian representative.
The elections took place on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the conference of the Federal Assembly of the EMI in Rome. Present at the meeting were also Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Rumiana Buchvarova and former Prime Minister of Italy Massimo D’Alema.
Eva Paunova stated that she is very honoured to be part of the Executive Board of an organisation that plays a key role in the construction of Europe and the political, social and cultural events within the European civil society since 1948. EMI is an advocate for a democratic, federal and enlarged Union.
The Bulgarian MEP was nominated for this position by the European People’s Party with the support of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. The meeting also saw the re-election of MEP Jo Leinen as Chairman of EMI.