European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso backed the controversial Bulgarian nominee to the EU executive, Rumiana Jeleva, in a letter sent today to European Parliament (EP) head Jerzy Buzek, according to dpa. In a confirmation hearing for the humanitarian aid portfolio in the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday, Rumiana Jeleva was accused by centre-left deputies of concealing her ownership of a Bulgarian consultancy company while serving as a European legislator between 2007 and 2009 - in a possible conflict of interest. Barroso told Buzek that "upon my specific request" Jeleva confirmed to him in writing that her declaration of interests "is fully accurate and complete." Jeleva"s letter to Barroso has also been made public by the EU Commission, the EU"s executive arm. The commission chief said Jeleva has "produced official documents" that indicate that "she no longer had any shares in the company that belonged to her" at the time of filling her declaration as commissioner designate for the humanitarian aid portfolio. The legislature"s main political groups had asked Barroso to give his assurances about Jeleva"s case. They also instructed parliament"s legal department to investigate the matter. The department is set to give a verdict on Monday. However, the head of the EU"s executive qualified his statement by recalling that "the commission, like the EP, relies on the statements of individuals concerned, lacking any specific procedure of control." Responding to Buzek"s query about his confidence in Jeleva"s appointment, Barroso said the nominee - Bulgaria"s sitting foreign minister - "has the general necessary competence, international experience and shows the necessary levels of European commitment" to carry out her new job. Barroso"s move puts the ball back in the parliament"s court. Its political leaders are due to meet Thursday in Strasbourg to decide whether to approve the commission"s appointees, after a round of hearings on all 26 prospective candidates set to finish on Tuesday. According to EU rules they cannot veto single nominees, but can threaten to reject the whole team if they deem one or more to be inadequate.
