Graduated from the Sofia 'Kliment Ohridsky' University, majoring in Journalism. Mrs. Bashlieva has completed a specialization in Reuters Foundation-London, Great Britain. She worked as a Parliamentary reporter for 'Duma' Daily and chief of the Economic section. Mrs. Bashlieva was appointed a part-time correspondent of BTA /Bulgarian Telegraph Agency/, an editor of 'Monitor' Daily and 'Banker' newspaper. >From 2000 to 2002 she has been a Press Secretary of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Mrs. Bashlieva speaks English and German languages.

Born on January 25, 1951 in the town of Jambol. M.A. in Economics.In 1974 graduated from the Russian Economic Academy after the name of Plehanov, majoring in Economic Cybernetics. Mr. Nikolov is a PhD at the University of National and World Economy in Sofia. He has done a number of specialized studies in social insurance in Sofia and in social policy and public administration at the Wienna University, International Development Faculty at the Harward University as well as at the Georgetown University in the USA. Mr. Nikolov was one of the members of the Managing Board of the National Health Insurance Fund in Bulgaria and a senior advisor at the American Agency for International Development. He had been managing the National Health Insurance Fund in the period from 1996 /when he Fund was actually established/ until 2000. In 1993 Mr. Nikolov took office as a Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Services and served on that position by the end of 1996. In 1990 was appointed Head of the Social Insurance Chief Directorate, on which position he remained until 1996.In 1992 he worked as an expert in the Committee on Labor and Social Insurance to the Parliament. Mr. Nikolov had been a long-time member and Chairman of the Committee on Social Insurance and Assistance to the National Council for Trilateral Cooperation and a member of the Government Collections Management Committee to the President of the Republic. He is a lecturer in the Management School at the New Bulgarian University and an author of dozens of articles, reports, books and assignment projects in the field of social policy. Married with two children-a son and a daughter. Fluent in French and Russian.

Graduated Law in the Law Faculty of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridsky ”. In the period 1983–1991 worked in the legal departments of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Committee for Tourism and in the Bulgarian Embassy in the USA . In the period 1995-1997 was Chief Advisor and Deputy Secretary on European Integration at the European Integration Secretariat at the Council of Ministers . 1991-1995 private law practice and since 1998 – attorney at law . As a founder and member of the Management Board of the “ European Policy Forum ” she worked actively on a number of projects of the Forum , related to the widening of the knowledge on the EU and the affirming the European values in Bulgaria . Co-author and coordinator of the study “ Monitoring of the Preparation of Bulgaria for EU Accession ” (2001, 2002, 2003) , which is one of a kind for Bulgaria . Author of the part on Bulgaria of two comparative studies of the Bureau of the International Labour Organization of the UN in Geneva regarding the Law on Civil Servants and Social dialogue in the emergency services . Member of the European and Euro - Atlantic Integration Council of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria . Fluent in English and Russian.

Born on 20th August 1956 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Graduated from the Sofia University of National and World Economy, majoring in International Relations. Postgraduate course on European Affairs (1991) at the Institute for International Relations “Clingendael” in the Hague, the Netherlands Emil Valev served as an attache in the “United Nations and Disarmament” Department and “International Organizations and Human Rights” Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for more than 24 years. He was appointed Director of the European Integration Department at MFA. In that capacity, he has contributed to the preparation and submitting Bulgaria’s application for the EU accession. He has been on a diplomatic mission to the Bulgarian embassies in Kenya and Poland and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria to the UN in New York, USA. From 2002 until 2006, Emil Valev was granted an appointment as an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Meanwhile, he headed the Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria to NATO and following the Bulgarian NATO membership served, until 2004, as a NATO Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the North-Atlantic Council (NAC). He is a member of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Society. He is fluent in English, Russian and Polish.

Born on 13 March 1947 in the town of Septemvri, district of Pazardjik. Finished First English Language School in Sofia and graduated from University of National and World Economy, Sofia, majoring in International Economic Relations. Upon graduation began work in the Ministry of Foreign Trade as a desk officer in “Balkan Countries’ Unit. Later held a position in ‘Balkantourist’ company. He was appointed ‘Balkantourist’ company representative in Athens, Greece. Goran Yonov began his diplomatic career in 1988 as a desk officer in the Fourth Unit and later was appointed an adviser in the Bulgarian Embassy in London, UK and an expert in ‘International Organizations’ Department. He also headed the Human Resources Department and served as a Minister Plenipotentiary in the Bulgarian Embassy in The Hague. Goran Yonov joined a number of delegations for the UN General Assembly sessions and other bodies of the World Organization. Also, he was an assistant to “Ivan Bashev” Foreign Policy Institute and had publications there. In 1997, upon his return from the Netherlands, Goran Yonov joined the private sector, first as a consultant on EU projects and programs, then he headed Human Resources Department of ‘Druzhba’ AD -Plovdiv and was appointed IPOMA AD Executive Director. In 2004, with a Presidential decree, Yonov was accredited Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Stockholm, Sweden. Upon his return from Sweden, he was appointed deputy-minister in the Ministry of Interior and held that position until July 2008. Goran Yonov is a member of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Society Management Board and Bulgarian Association for International Relations leadership. Fluent in Greek, Russian and English.

Born on October 23, 1948. He graduated from the Higher Institute of Economics in Sofia, majoring in Economy of Foreign Trade. Mr Kanev is a PhD in Philosophy, an associate professor in the New Bulgarian University in Sofia. Also is a Deputy-chief of the Political Sciences Department. He is a senior fellow researcher, who has been granted permanent status at the European Integration Studies Centre at the University of Bonn, Germany. Mr. Kanev founded and headed Parliamentary Studies Department in the Bulgarian National Assembly (1995-1997). He was a guest-lecturer at different universities in the Federal Republic of Germany, Great Britain, the USA and Belgium. An editor-in-chief of the 'Political Research' Journal and a member of the international staff of editors of the 'Southeast Review' Journal, Dusseldorf, Germany. Mr. Kanev is an author of dozens of monographs and scientific articles in Bulgaria and abroad, covering topics about social-democracy and Bulgarian political system. He is fluent in German, English, Russian and French. Married with two sons.

Born on May, 16 1972 in Kurdgali. Graduated from the University of Ankara, Turkey, majoring in International Relations and also from the Technical University in Sofia, majoring in Industrial Management. He served as a CEO of Saint Elena AD- Sofia, a business consultant of 'Household Electronics' AD-Turnovo and System Commerce AD- Sofia.

Born on 2 May 1958 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Finished the National High School of Mathematics and Science in Sofia and graduated from the St. Kliment Ohridsky Sofia University, Faculty of Law. Postgraduate of the University of Barcelona. Mr. Markov holds Doctor of Law degree and is a Professor of Criminal Law. >From 1983 until 1985, Rumen Markov worked as an investigating official. In 1985, Mr. Markov was appointed a lecturer in the Police Academy of the Ministry of Interior and has been working as such since then. He has also served as an assistant professor, vice-chancellor and member of the Academy Council. In 2004, Markov became a Rector of the Police Academy. Rumen Markov serves as a chairperson of the High-Level Council at the Permanent Commission on Force and Means Management for Crises at the Ministry of Interior. He is also a member of the State-Public Consultative Commission on crime prevention and the High Level Scientific Council on National Security at the High Attestation Committee (VAK). Rumen Markov is a member of the Police Leadership Association, the Council of Higher Schools Rectors and the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria. In 2006 he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. Rumen Markov has published three monographies and a number of studies and articles on Criminal law. He has been awarded with the Honorary Decorations of the Ministry of Interior - II and III class and a golden ”Justice, Freedom and Security” medal. Rumen Markov is married with two children.

Born on November 28, 1960 in Pleven. He is a Doctor in Law at the Sofia St. Kliment Ohridsky University. Mr. Sivkov was a trainee-judge in the Sofia Town Court, assistant professor, senior assistant professor and chief assistant professor at the Sofia University. He is lecturing at the Veliko Tarnovo University "Cyril and Methodius" in local governance, territorial and community development. Mr. Sivkov has published articles, focusing on local governance, administrative penalty and public law. Married with one daughter.

Born in 1955. Married, has two daughters. Associate Professor, Ph.D. in Sociology. Currently teaches Sociology of Politics and Sociology of History at the University of Plovdiv. Previously worked as an Assistant Professor of Sociology of Social Governance at the University of Sofia and as a Research Fellow at the National Center for the Study of Public Opinion and at the Institute for Critical Social Studies. Former First Secretary of the Komsomol (March 1986 – June 1989). In July 1989 was dismissed for his attempts to make reforms and democraticize the youth organization. After November 10, 1989 became a member of the leadership of the Alliance for Social Democracy within the Bulgarian Socialist Party. One of the founders of the Euro-Left and later of the Social Democrats Political Movement. Until July 2005 was Chairman of the National Council of the Movement. Program Director of the Social Democratic Institute. Author of books and many publications in the press in the fields of sociology and of the politological analysis of the transition in the Bulgarian society after 1989.

Born in Varna on 11 July 1958. Graduate of the Nicola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna and of the Naval Academy in Russia. Completed a training course at the Royal Naval Staff College, Britain, a Defense Resources Management Course in Monterey, California, and a course in Peace Operations for Commanders in Newport, Rhode Island. Chief of the Defence and Armed Forces Planning Directorate of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Armed Forces since 2004. Chief of the Operational Directorate at the Navy Headquarters (2003-2004), executive officer of the Varna Naval Base (2002-2003), commander of a Light Surface Forces Brigade, Sozopol (2000-2002), deputy executive officer of the Varna Naval Base (1997-2000), commander of a Patrol Craft Division (1995-1997), executive officer of a Patrol Craft Division (1992-1995), commander of a tactical element, frigate first mate and frigate commander (1981-1992). Author of publications on force planning and on the integration and transformation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. Decorated with a Badge of Honour for Loyal Service with the Colours.

Born in Sofia on 12 September 1949. Graduate of the Higher Institute of Economics in Sofia. Doctor of Economics. Rector of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE). Full-time professor. Conducts a lecture course in intellectual property and in management of intangible assets. Specializations in Moscow, St Petersburg, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Tallinn and Geneva. Since 1982: deputy director and director of the Higher School of Post-graduate Studies in Economics and Management at the Higher Institute of Economics, Director of the Intellectual Property Department, Head of the Intellectual Property Chair, Director of the UNWE University Press, Vice Rector of the UNWE, member of the UNWE Academic Board. Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Bulgarian-French Management Centre MARCOM (1991-1995), Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Intelektualna Sobstvenost [Intellectual Property] magazine (1996-1997), Deputy Chairman of the Union of Inventors in Bulgaria (1994-1997), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bourgas Airport (1996-1997), Executive Director of the BALKAN Pension Fund (1998-1999), member of the Supervisory Board of the National Social Security Institute (2000-2001), National Representative in the 39th National Assembly, member of the Science and Education Committee (2001-2004), Chairman of the Management Board of the Sports Totalizator (2005-2006). Chairman of the Association of the Organizations of Employers in Bulgaria and of the National Intellectual Property Association, Deputy Chairman of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation.

Master of Economics and Sociology. Graduate of the University of National and World Economy, post-graduate studies in banks and banking. Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Nadezhda Municipal People’s Council in Sofia (1988-1991). Worked at the Railway Plant in Sofia. Credit inspector at First Private Bank. Chairman of the Nadezhda Borough Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Sofia (1993-2007). Secretary, member of the Executive Bureau of the BSP Supreme Council since 2002. Head of the Elections Section at the BSP Supreme Council since 2005. Deputy Chair of the Sofia City Council of the BSP.

Born in Sofia on 19 June 1951. Graduate of the Technical Institute. Full-time post-graduate studies at the Academy of Social Sciences in Moscow. Doctor of History. Worked at the Sofia City Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party. Taught at the Academy of Social Sciences and Management. Managing director of a company, worked in the banking sector (1992-1996). National Representative in the 38th, 39th and 40th National Assembly. Deputy Chairman of the Civil Society Committee and member of the Internal Security and Public Order Committee and of the Media and Civil Society Committee.

Born in Sofia on 10 December 1957. International Relations graduate of the Higher Institute of Economics in Sofia. Candidate of Historical Sciences. Associate Professor of Political Science at New Bulgarian University (NBU), Vice Rector for International Activities, Head of the Department of Political Science and Director of the Francophone Programme in Political Science. Chief Assistant Professor at NBU (1990-1999). Senior advisor at the Parliamentary Studies Department of the National Assembly (1995-1997). Former editor-in-chief of the Bulgarski Nablyudatel [Bulgarian Observer] magazine and editor in the Kultura [Culture] weekly. Visiting professor and lecturer at universities in France, Belgium and Italy. Scholarship student of the Agency of Francophonie Universities, of the North Atlantic Assembly, the East-West Institute, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Chairman of the Governing Board of the Bulgarian Association of Political Science and member of the governing boards of the Civil Society Development Foundation (1998-2000) and of the Manfred Woerner Foundation. Member of the MARCOM Foundation, the International Association of French-Speaking Sociologists and the ACCESS Association, of the Public Institute for Social and Ecological Studies, the Bulgarian Helsinki Citizens' Assembly. Founding member of the Center for the Study of Democracy.

Graduate of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE). Vice Rector of the UNWE. Associate Professor since 1990. Conducts lecture courses in human resource management and economics of labour. Head of the Labour and Social Protection Chair (2001-2005). Specializations at King’s College, Cambridge, Athens University of Economics and Business, the University of St Andrews, the German Federal Employment Service. Human resource management consultant in the public administration and the business organizations. Participated in applied research projects on problems of the labour market, employment and human resource development. Wrote a number of books in human resource development and personnel training. Member of the Economic and Social Council (2004-2005) and of the Executive Board of the National Science Fund with the Ministry of Education and Science (2003-2006). National representative to the Helsinki Group on Women and Science at the European Commission’s Research Directorate-General.

Born in Veliko Turnovo on 15 May 1956. Graduate of the Higher Institute of Medicine in Pleven. Specialist qualifications in obstetrics and gynecology, oncology. Candidate of Medical Sciences. Professor. Rector of the Pleven Medical University. Specializations in Strasbourg, Paris, Rome. Member of the Bulgarian Medical Association, the Bulgarian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Societe Francaise de Gynecologie Oncologique, the European Society for Medical Oncology, the European Society of Surgical Oncology. President of the Bulgarian Association of Gynaecological Endoscopy. Wrote a number of monographs, papers and scientific journals, science films. More than 100 research publications abroad. Honours: 2004 Medic of the Year, 2006 Physician of the Year, Bulgarian Medical Association Badge of Honour, First Class, Person of the Year 2005 Award of the American Biographical Institute/Board of International Research, Freeman of the City of Pleven.

Born on 18 August 1950. Graduate of the University of National and World Economy. Doctor of Economics. Director of the Institute of Economics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Specialized at the London Business School, at Ghent University, Belgium, at the International Monetary Fund, Vienna, at The British Academy, London, and at the Moscow Institute of Economics, Management and Law. Participates in research, scientific and educational projects. Teaches at the Varna Free University, the Veliko Turnovo University and Sofia University. Wrote books, papers and studies. Member of the Scientific Commission on Economic Sciences at the Higher Certifying Commission and of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Economics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, of the European Economic Association, of the Association for Comparative Economic Studies, of the Executive Committee of the European Association for Comparative Economic Studies. Chairman of the Evaluation and Accreditation Commission of the Bulgarian Association for Management Development and Entrepreneurship.

Born in Sofia on 17 April 1945. Graduated in International Relations from the Higher Institute of Economics and in Mathematics from Sofia University. Candidate of Economic Sciences. National Representative in the 7th Grand National Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee and Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee. National Representative in the 36th National Assembly, Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee and member of EU-Bulgaria Joint Parliamentary Committee. National Representative at the 38th National Assembly. Wrote economic publications in the sphere of world and Bulgarian economy and international finance. Member of the Club Council of FC Levski 1914, of the Executive Bureau of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1992-1997), of the Plenary Council of the Bulgarian National Bank (1991-1997).

Born in Nova Zagora on 10 February 1944. Graduated from the Law Faculty of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. Worked at the Foreign Policy Institute with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Council for External Relations of the State Council. Occupied senior positions at the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Defence. Employed at the Administration of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria since 2002. Published research papers, newspaper items and literary works. Several books published. Author of four books of poems. Works in visual arts.

Born on 2 April 1977. Law graduate from the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. Master’s Degree in Protection of National Security from the Academy of the Ministry of Interior. Worked at the Legal and International Legal Affairs Directorate of the State Commission on Information Security (2003-2004). Formerly legal executive at the Sofia City Court and lawyer at the Sofia Bar Association. Assistant Professor of Classified Information Protection at the Academy of the Ministry of Interior. Author of numerous papers. Command of French, Russian and English.

Born on 16 February 1953 in the town of Kyustendil. Graduated from the „Karl Marx” Higher Institute of Economics in Sofia, majoring in economics of industry. Mr. Atanasov was elected MP of the National Assembly five times in the period starting from 1991 until 2009. He was appointed to various positions in the National Assembly such as Vice-Chair (1992-1994) and Chair (1995-1997) of the Parliamentary Culture Committee; Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Culture and Media Committee (1997-2001) and the Television and Radio Committee (2001-2005). He also served as Chair of the Civil Society and Media Committee (2005-2009). From 1999 until 2005 Mr. Atanasov was elected Vice-Chair of the Coalition for Bulgaria Parliamentary Group. Ivo Atanasov was appointed Vice-Chair and Chairman of Parliament Bulgaria-Italy Friendship Group. From 2005 until 2009 he was a member of the Bulgarian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Western European Union (WEU). Mr. Atanasov took part in several Inter-Parliamentary Union Annual sessions. Mr. Atanasov was a secretary and a member of the Executive Bureau of the Supreme Council of Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). He is a member of the Bulgarian Journalists’ Union (BJU) and the Bulgarian Writers’ Union (BWU). He is an author of four books of publicistic style and has produced over 2 000 publications.