The Hon. Maria Serkedjieva (Bulgaria)

Mrs. Maria Serkedjieva is Bulgaria's former Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Justice and European Legal Integration (1997- 2001), who was in charge of the European legal integration, international legal co-operation and harmonization of the Bulgarian legislation with the European acquis communautaire.

Mrs. Serkedjieva was a Head of the Bulgarian delegation to the United Nation’s Special Session: “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century”.

Mrs. Serkedjieva was awarded with two certificates from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for important contribution and for dedicated services in building the national refugee system in Bulgaria (9th July, 2001 and 10th December 2003).

Mrs. Serkedjieva is President of the Eurointegration Association – an NGO with a broad network from 31 regional clubs in the Bulgaria, aimed at the popularization of the eurointegration policy of Bulgaria, focused on the practical aspects of full membership , Bulgarian national identity and the role of the civil society in united Europe. The Eurointegration Association has successfully implemented its mission with the accession of Bulgaria to the European Union on 1st January 2007.

She is a lecturer from Team Europe on the Enlargement of the European Union issues, justice and home affairs,competition policy, company law , European law and was a lecturer on German company law in “St. Kliment Ohridski” University of Sofia (ZEDES Program).

Mrs. Serkedjieva is a distinguished lawyer and mediator. She is President of the Association on Mediation Activities – MEDIATOR- Sofia – an NGO of lawyers - mediators, and a Member of the Executive board of the National Association of Mediators.