BULGARIA - FSN NOMINATION FOR THE 2009 ENVIRONMENT,

UNCLAS SOFIA 000096 DEPT FOR EUR/NCE TYEAGER SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY - FSI ADDEE ADDED E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV AFSI KSCA AFSN TSPL ECON BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA - FSN NOMINATION FOR THE 2009 ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND HEALTH (ESTH) COURSE Ref: STATE 15409 ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel, Post nominates Mr. Danko Tonev for the 2009 environment, science, technology, and health (ESTH) course, April 27-May 8, 2009. Information about Mr. Tonev follows, keyed to terms in reftel: a. Danko Tonev; FSN - 10; b. April 7, 1973; c. Bulgarian; d. 354525522; issued 02/28/2007 e. Department of State; PolEcon; f. Economic Specialist; g. Supervisor: Kelly Adams-Smith; adamssmithke@state.gov; h. Education: MA in International Political Economy; 2 years and 6 months on this job; serves as senior locally-engaged adviser to the Front Office and PolEcon on Bulgarian economic, energy and ESTH affairs; analyzes and reports on current developments, including post EU-accession efforts, investment, transport, technology and telecom; drafts policy-oriented papers; develops and maintains contacts in government, business, academia and NGO; i. How candidate/post will benefit from the training: Please see Paragraph 2. j. Suggestions for course content: Transatlantic environmental cooperation; USG green energy and alternative energy policies; environment and technologies for sustained economic development, etc.; k. Previous Training: Economic Training for FSNs, April 30 - May 11, 2007, FSI; ¶2. (U) A Science and Technology agreement between the U.S. and Bulgaria was signed and entered into force in 2008. This agreement allows for the creation of a wide range of bilateral projects the Embassy will need to actively support and monitor. Since Danko Tonev is the only locally-engaged employee covering ESTH issues at Embassy Sofia, he -- and post -- will directly benefit from additional training in these areas. After USAID closed down in September 2008, the PolEcon section was assigned the health portfolio, including two particular projects in joint cooperation with the Bulgarian Ministry of Health: the TB Global Fund and HIV Fund. Additional health-related projects are expected in the future and additional training and exposure to these issues will help Mr. Tonev fulfill these new responsibilities. ¶3. (U) Mr. Tonev currently assists the ESTH officer in reporting on GOB's EU NATURA2000 policies and on the GOB's compliance with EU environmental standards. He writes periodic reports for PolEcon and the Front Office on EU funds in Bulgaria, including those dedicated to ESTH issues. The ESTH training will give him a better understanding of how industry and environment needs can be reconciled to support sustainable economic development. Overwhelmingly dependent on Russia for its energy needs, Bulgaria is struggling to diversify its energy mix. Post is advocating the use of more clean-energy and energy efficient technologies. The ESTH training will provide Mr. Tonev with a better understanding of the USG's green energy policies and environment-focused approach to energy. A new American officer will take over the ESTH portfolio in summer 2009. S/he will need assistance in the transition period and will depend on Mr. Tonev's advice on ESTH matters. The proposed training will help him gain a better and deeper understanding of the portfolio and will help post expand its coverage of ESTH issues in the future. MCELDOWNEY