Ivana Murdzheva
Deputy Minister
Ivana Murdzheva is a legal expert with extensive professional experience in agricultural law and wine sector legislation.
She holds a Master’s degree in Law from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and a Master’s in Art History from the National Academy of Arts. From 2022 to 2025, she is a PhD student in Social Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sofia University.
Her professional career began in 1997 as an attorney with the Sofia Bar Association. Between 2002 and 2004, she served as Chief Legal Officer for "European Legislation" at the Executive Agency on Vine and Wine, where she played a key role in harmonizing national legislation with EU wine sector regulations and provided legal representation. From 2004 to 2010, she was a legal expert at the National Vine and Wine Chamber, working on legislative acts, strategic analyses, and initiatives.
From 2012 to 2018, she chaired the "Traditions and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture" Association. Since 2014, she has served as Chair of the National Association of Small Family Farmers and Processors, representing the organization before state and municipal authorities to protect farmers' interests. Between 2014 and February 2026, she practiced as an attorney with the Burgas Bar Association, specializing in agricultural law and wine sector litigation. She also served as a member of the Control Council of the National Vine and Wine Chamber (2016–2019) and has significant experience in managing national and international projects.
She is fluent in French, English, and Russian.
Atanas Atanasov
Deputy Minister
Atanas Atanasov is a specialist with extensive experience in international trade, livestock breeding, and selection activities. Born on January 28, 1962, in Sliven, he holds Master’s degrees in International Economic Relations and Animal Breeding and Reproduction from the Agricultural University – Plovdiv. He completed his secondary education at the "Zahari Stoyanov" French Language High School in Sliven.
His professional career began at the foreign trade organization "Pimex." From 1992 to 2009, he was the owner and manager of "Agrotrade International" Ltd, where he actively developed the import and export of livestock and meat, as well as the breeding of purebred Montbéliarde and Simmental cattle. From 2008 to February 2026, he served as the manager of NAMSB in Pleven, where he led activities related to the selection and reproduction of the Montbéliarde and Simmental breeds.
He is fluent in French, Russian, and Polish.
Nikolay Vasilev
Deputy Minister
Eng. Nikolay Vasilev was born on April 5, 1978, in Varna.
He graduated from the Mathematical High School in Yambol in 1997 and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Forestry Engineering (Forest Use and Forest Economics) from the University of Forestry in 2003. After a period in the private sector, Eng. Vasilev joined the state forest administration, advancing through the roles of a specialist to junior, senior, chief expert then to a head of department. His primary work focuses on strategic planning, forest science, European coordination, projects management funded by the EU and other international donors. Since 2023, he has served as the Head of the "Forestry Strategies and Planning" Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
He is a member of the Union of Foresters in Bulgaria and was awarded the "Significant Contribution to Promoting the Image of the Forestry Profession" prize in 2024. He has completed professional specializations in Spain and China and has authored several publications on the EU accession process, forest policy, and externally funded projects.
He is fluent in English and has a working knowledge of Russian and German.