Professional experience
Member of Political Party Blue Unity (2013 to date)
President of SME Europe of the European People's Party (EPP) (2012 to date)
Member of the European Parliament, EPP Group (2009-2014)
President of SME Union of the EPP (2011-2012)
President of SME Union Bulgaria (2007 to date)
Deputy Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly (2008-2009)
Vice-President of the European People's Party (1999-2006)
Chair of the Institute for Democracy and Stability in South-East Europe (2004 to date)
President of Political Party Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) (2002-2005)
Chair of the UDF Group in the Bulgarian National Assembly (2002-2005)
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bulgaria (1997-2001)
Vice-President of Political Party UDF (1994-1997)
Member of Parliament (1994-2009)
Spokesperson of the Government and Chief of the Press Centre (1991-1993)
Spokesperson and Chief of the Press Centre of Political Party UDF (1991)
Chief of the International Affairs department of the Radical-Democratic Party (1990-1991)
Translator (1988-1990)
Free-lance journalist (1986-1988)

Additional initiatives
Member of the Advisory Group for Southern Leaders' Round Tables (SLRT) to the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (2006 to date)
Member of the International Advisory Committee to the Democracy Coalition Project, in partnership with Bertelsmann Foundation, Freedom House and Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (2006 to date)

Education
Executive education on mastering negotiation and building sustainable agreements at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (2008)
Certificate in Public Relations, BBC (1993)
US Congress Foreign Policy and Public Relations Certificate through working in the office of Congressman David Drier (R) (1991)
MA in Linguistics, Sofia University St Climent Ohridski (1980-1985)

Awards
Special golden distinction of the US Academy of Achievements
Order of the Kingdom of Denmark, First Class
Medal awarded by the Republic of Malta
Badge of Honour, Venice
Knight of the Legion of Honour (France)
Cross of the order for public service awarded by the King of Spain
B'nai B'rith medal of tolerance