19/09/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 19 September, the Council of the European Union, in agreement with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, formalised the appointment of Iliana Ivanova as European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture and Education until 31 October 2024. Ms Ivanova, a former member of the European Court of Auditors and a former MEP, replaces Mariya Gabriel, who has become Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (see EUROPE 13211/29). This final stage in the appointment process comes after the European Parliament voted in plenary session on Tuesday 12 September to approve the appointment by a very large majority (see EUROPE 13248/16). Prior to this, the Commissioner had convinced the MEPs meeting in the relevant parliamentary committees (see EUROPE 13243/1, 13243/2) and received the unanimous green light from the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament’s political groups (see EUROPE 13244/29). (EV)