Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate gives her opening statement during the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) joint public hearing. Ivanova has been named by the Bulgarian Government to substitute the former Commissioner Maryia Gabriel, who left the office on the 15th of may 2023, as Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth. Opening statement by Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

statement

Committee on Culture and Education

Research and innovation (T2)

CULTURE AND EDUCATION (T1)

hearing of Commissioners

IVANOVA, Iliana (EPP, BG)

EU Research and innovation (T)

hearing of Iliana IVANOVA 2023 (T)

Hearing of Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner-designate for innovation, research, culture, education and youth: opening statement by Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, Honourable Madam President of the Committee on Culture and Education, Mr. Chair of the Committee on Industry Research and Energy. Honourable Vice Chairs, Honourable Coordinator's Colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour for me to be with you today. The European Parliament has been at the core of my commitment to the European idea, starting with my stint as a member of the European Parliament and doles through ups my activity as a member of the European Court of Auditors.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, These have been defining moments in my career as a professional and politician. I am deeply grateful for all these years of excellent cooperation, mutual trust, respect and dialogue. We have established together on a number of different and important aspects of European policies innovation, research, culture, education, and the youth. To meet this challenge, I will build on the leadership experience and expertise which I gained in all my previous functions.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, Europe has seen many crises, and our response to the most recent and unprecedented challenges needed to be and was quick, decisive and efficient. All of us in our different roles contributed with utmost commitment. And here I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Maria Gabriel, for her tireless efforts and achievements that brought so many benefits not only to the European citizens, but more recently also to Ukrainians.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, There are still many aspects, though, that require us to continue the efforts and hard work. If I earn your trust, I will mobilise all available resources under my portfolio to ensure that we deliver on our ambitions and wider objectives and to earn this trust. I owe you honest and clear answers to all your questions and concerns. I would like to start by sharing with you my vision for the remaining year of the mandate where I could bring solutions and set direction for the future. Three points are central to me.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The key role of research and innovation for the EU's growth model. The best way to foster education and skills as developing people's potential is the best investment in our future and the cohesive role of culture for our society, the empowerment of young people and the uniting role of sport to make us stronger and bring us together. I see research and innovation as a vital precondition for our sustainable future. I am convinced that our ability to tackle the challenges of tomorrow depends on the research and innovation of today. But where are we in the global picture?

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, Europe is a scientific powerhouse. It has the best researchers and innovators in the world. It brings fourth Nobel Prize winners and leaders and funding and highest standard publications. We support deep tech innovators that turn into million and billion euro companies. However, our research and innovation landscape still remains fragmented. Investments have remained below the 3% target from the GDP and well below that of some of our main global competitors.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The objectives of Horizon Europe are clearly defined in the regulation. If I'm appointed, I will do my utmost to help achieve them and I will do so first through supporting a stable and sufficient budget. Besides the funding allocated in the long term EU budget, there are a number of ways to attract additional public private financial resources to use significant leverage, including from partnerships and exploit synergies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, I will also focus efforts on innovative ways to develop advanced technologies. The Strategic Technologies for Europe platform, for instance, is one new tool which I will fully support to put us back in the lead in the race for leadership on new technologies that will define the green and digital future. I am convinced that Horizon Europe should more strongly benefit SMEs, which are and have always been the backbone of our economies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The geographical distribution of beneficiary is also matters because we need to combine all means and opportunities for excellence and access to excellence across the entire Union to achieve the most inclusive results. Speeding up and delivering on the European Research Area. Implementing the new European Innovation Agenda and strengthening the scientific advisory role of the Joint Research Centre will be equally important priorities for me in the remaining time of the mandate.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The valuations of the previous Horizon 2020 programme and the current Horizon Europe will be a crucial moment in the coming year and I see them as opportunities to learn lessons about strengths and weaknesses and to take action accordingly. There are a number of key priorities that, if appointed, I still want to pursue.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, First of all, simplification is always appropriate. With simple procedures, we can reach more users and reduce the error rate. Secondly, I am going to focus on the innovative potential of the EU. The European Investment Council (EIC) is instrument which can be used in the context of risk of capital. So, that we can use this to be successful at the international level.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The criticism that we've had for the EIC in the initial phase and the criticism of the decision making process, I take note of, however, things have been corrected in the meantime. I'll keep an eye on efficiency. I'd also like to have a special dialogue on this subject with the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, Certainly, it's high time that horizon Europe be used as a tool to ensure that we can be trailblazers at a global level. Cooperation is always going to be essential. We must use the and strengthen the international aspects of Horizon Europe, and we must increasingly associate third countries while at the same time ensuring quality as set out in the strategy for economic certainty.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, None of this can be achieved without the greatest asset we possess. In other words, the citizens of Europe investing in the diversity of talents, skills and in education is absolutely essential in order to unleash our full potential.

SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, In that regard, I welcome not only a further opening up of programmes to partner countries, but also targeted action for inclusion and gender equality in our society. I shall support efforts to achieve diversity among beneficiaries and for the visibility of women's professional achievements through different actions, whether it be special awards, targeted training or initiatives intended to inspire more women to participate in the programme.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, I believe that education is at the core of our European way of life and also the most fundamental prerequisite for a successful growth model in the EU. It is a key element of my mission letter and I would like to assure you that, if appointed, the completion of the European education area will be an absolute priority for me.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, While I am happy to celebrate fast achievements. I will focus my efforts on addressing current concerns such as deteriorating basic skills and challenges for the teaching profession. If appointed as Madam Chair and has just asked me, I will continue working on building the University alliances, encourage the efforts for mutual recognition of exams and diplomas and the joint European degree.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The digital Education Action Plan has proven to be a key enabler for learning opportunities across the EU, and I will support the Member States in ensuring the effective digital transformation of education systems.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The Erasmus+ programme is perhaps the most emblematic and successful tool that inspires enthusiasm about the European integration idea. Needless to say, if I'm appointed, I will utilise the upcoming evaluations to learn lessons and reflect them in the direction for the future.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, At the heart of the European way of life is also our immensely rich and diverse culture. I will support this important economic and inclusive potential and you can count on me to work with fellow Commissioners, national authorities and local actors to build bridges between arts and culture and other policies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, As an example, the new European Bauhaus Initiative brings together partner organisations, researchers to take forward projects and translate the European Green Deal into tangible improvements of our daily life on the ground.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, Our ability to involve next generations in the European project is the guarantee for our democracy. The European Solidarity Corps is for me, one of the best examples of our commitment in that regard.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, The European Year of Youth, with its 13,000 plus events, has put youth very high on the political agenda, and I will engage actively with the national coordinators and the youth stakeholders group to build further on the legacy of the European Year of Youth. I am aware of the European Parliament's interest or the idea of a youth test, and I am ready to explore together with you what it could realistically include in practice.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, Together with culture and youth engagement, sport is another important asset for the cohesion of our society. The European sport model is a powerful tool to promote our values. Global sporting events taking place in Europe will be opportunities that, if appointed, I will use to promote the visibility for the EU in sport.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, Honourable Members, ladies and gentlemen, I do realise the weight of responsibility that comes with delivering so much in the rather limited period of time. However, if I earn your trust, my ambition is to work in very close cooperation with all of you in the European Parliament, with the Member States and the other stakeholders, as well as our international partners.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, I will promise you only what I truly believe I can deliver. If appointed, I commit to be the guardian of efficient investment within this fascinating portfolio and to use its full potential to deliver benefits to the EU citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Iliana IVANOVA, Commissioner candidate, With this in mind, it is with humility that I ask for your trust and endorsement, and I look forward to your questions. Thank you very much for the attention.