Biography

Rumiana Jeleva, EPP Vice President

* Born April 18th, 1969
 
*  PhD in Sociology (Otto von Guericke University); Doctoral Thesis: ‘Socio-Interpretative Patterns of Entrepreneurs in theTransition Economy’

* Post-graduate courses in economic and industrial sociology at the Bielefeld University and the Free University of Berlin (2000, 2001)
 
* Master’s Degree in sociology from St. Kliment Ohridsky University of Sofia (1995)

* Graduate study (Bielefeld University, 1994-1995)

* Guest lecturer in European Studies at the University of Magdeburg, Germany (2007)
 
* First-class research fellow at the Institute of Sociology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2005-2007)
 
* Expert in the field of the labour market, human resources and social policy. Lecturer in ‘Public Relations and Corporate Communication’ with the Sociology Department of St. Kliment Ohridsky University of Sofia (since 2001)

* Prior to her career as a scholar and researcher, she has accumulated professional experience in managerial positions with a series of commercial companies. Her scientific and professional interests relate to the economics of transition and the restructuring of labour organisation in Eastern Europe.
 
* She has contributed as a researcher and consultant to a number of projects of UNDP and the PHARE Program, regarding the development of initiatives for the labour market, social inclusion and youth employment.
 
* She has authored scores of published papers and has participated in international projects and conferences in Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Latvia, Russia, Serbia, etc. in the area of industrial relations, entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility.
 
* She is a member of Berliner Forum (International Network of Business Ethics), the Bulgarian Sociological Association (BSA) and Rotary Club Bourgas.
 
* Member of the European Parliament (2007-2009); (elected on 7 May 2009 – resigned on 27 July 2009)

** MEP membership:
- Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament (2009)
- Member of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (2009)
- Member of the delegations of the European Parliament for relations with the Mashrek Countries (Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan) and with Iran (2007-2009)
- Substitute member of the delegation for relations with Iran (2007-2009)
- Member of the Committee on Regional Development (2007-2009)
- Substitute member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament (2007-2009)

**MEP activities (excerpt):
- Rapporteur to the Regional Commission for the Interim Review of the Implementation of the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme
- Rapporteur to the Interim Review of the Financial Framework for 2007-2013
- Rapporteur of the task force on the Report on Governance and Partnership at National and Regional Levels.
- Rapporteur to the Committee on Employment in respect of a position adopted in December, 2008, on Council Directive on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State.
European Parliament Rapporteur on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention's ratification protocol.
- Rapporteur of the task force on the Report on stepping up the fight against undeclared work, adopted in September.
- She has participated in foreign policy missions of the EP to Athens, Berlin, Munich, Oberkirch, Washington DC, New York, Belfast, Dublin, Warsaw, Cadenabbia, Palma de Mallorca, Iaşi (Romania), Paris, Ankara, Slovenia and Monaco.
 
**Member of the political bureau of the EPP-ED political group at the EP (2007-2009).
- As a member of the political bureau of the parliamentary group of EPP-ED, Mrs. Jeleva has been pivotal in defining and implementing the key principles and values of EPP policy. She has participated in numerous EPP missions to Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt and elsewhere.

**Elected vice chairwoman of EPP political group at the EP (2009)
 
**Head of the Bulgarian delegation to the EPP (2007-2009)

*Member of the GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) political party (2006)

* GERB ballot leader in the European Parliament elections (2009)

* Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria (July 2009 – January 2010)

* EPP Vice President (2009)
** Co-chairperson of EPP standing working group on economic and social affairs

*Married