The European Parliament has delivered an enthusiastic ‘yes’ to the commissioner-designate for international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response. The Chair of the Committee on Development (DEVE), Franco-Norwegian Eva Joly (Greens-EFA), on behalf of the Parliament, concluded that Bulgarian candidate Kristalina Georgieva “acquitted herself outstandingly well” during her hearing by MEPs. This official opinion indicates that Georgieva’s candidature will be one of the more straightforward aspects of the Parliament’s 9 February vote of approval on the new European Commission, given the “unanimous” support for her qualifications for the post and attitude to cooperation with the other institutions.

Georgieva appeared to have comfortably sold Parliament on her track record with a “very convincing impression of her aptitude”. In particular, Joly highlighted the ex-World Bank vice-president’s “extensive knowledge and good communication skills”. The good-humoured atmosphere of Georgieva’s hearing, on 3 February, was reflected in Joly’s comment in the official opinion that the Parliament had faith she would “engage proactively” and “cooperate effectively” with MEPs during her membership of the College of Commissioners.

The opinion noted approvingly the broad agenda of priorities set out by Georgieva, which ranged from expanding the EU’s civil protection work, through better protection of humanitarian workers to high-profile disasters like Haiti and ‘forgotten crises’, such as sexual violence in Eastern Congo.

In her hearing, Georgieva had been frank in acknowledging areas where she lacked experience, including working within the framework of the EU institutions. MEPs, however, expressed their confidence that she would learn quickly.