Ekaterina Spasova Gecheva-Zaharieva (Bulgarian: Екатерина Спасова Гечева-Захариева; born 8 August 1975) is a Bulgarian politician who served as the Foreign Minister of Bulgaria 2017 to 2021. She was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional development in 2013 and in 2014, in the Raykov Government and in the Bliznashki Government, respectively.
Ekaterina Zaharieva | |
---|---|
Екатерина Захариева | |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
In office 4 May 2017 – 12 May 2021 | |
Prime Minister | Boyko Borisov |
Preceded by | Radi Naydenov |
Succeeded by | Svetlan Stoev |
Minister of Justice | |
In office 18 December 2015 – 27 January 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Boyko Borisov |
Preceded by | Hristo Ivanov |
Succeeded by | Mariya Pavlova |
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development | |
In office 6 August 2014 – 7 November 2014 | |
Prime Minister | Georgi Bliznashki |
Preceded by | Desislava Terzieva |
Succeeded by | Desislava Taneva |
In office 13 March 2013 – 29 May 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Marin Raykov |
Preceded by | Rosen Plevneliev |
Succeeded by | Desislava Terzieva |
Member of the National Assembly | |
Assumed office 19 April 2017 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Ekaterina Spasova Gecheva 8 August 1975 Pazardzhik, Bulgarien |
Political party | GERB |
Spouse |
Angel Zahariev (m. 2006) |
Alma mater | Plovdiv University |
Occupation | Lawyer • Politician |
Early life and education
editZaharieva was born in Pazardzhik in 1975. She became fluent in German at her local college, then attended the University of Plovdiv where she graduated in law. This was followed by a law master's degree.[1]
Career
editShe worked as a lawyer until 2003. She then became a legal Advisor of the Ministry of Environment and Water. Zaharieva became the Director of Legal, Administrative and Regulatory Services in 2007.[1]
Entering politics in 2009, she became the Minister of Regional Development to Rosen Plevneliev. When Plevneliev became President of Bulgaria, he chose her for the position of one of the Deputy Prime Ministers from March to May in 2013.[2] She was interim deputy Prime Minister to Marin Raykov in the Bulgarian Cabinet.
In 2013 she was the Minister of Regional Development.[citation needed] From 18 December 2015 she served as Minister of Justice until 27 January 2017. She became the Foreign Minister of Bulgaria on 4 May 2017.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Ekaterina Zakharieva, President of the Republic, retrieved January 2014
- ^ Visit of Ekaterina Zakharieva, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development and Public Works, to the EC, March 2013, retrieved January 2014
- ^ "Minister of Foreign Affairs". The Republic of Bulgaria.