was re-elected in the 36th, 37th and 38th National Parliaments. She served on the committees on foreign policy, national security, radio and TV, human rights, agriculture. She was the Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian delegation to the International Parliamentary Union, member of the national delegations to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and the Joint Parliamentary Committee ‘Bulgaria-EU’. She also served as Deputy Chair of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (IEPFPD). In the late 1990s, Poptodorova was among the influential members of the Bulgarian Euro-Left. Education Elena Poptodorova earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees at the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia in English and Italian linguistic and literary studies, after which she attended a post-graduate course in international relations at the University of National and World Economy in Sofia. She specialized at the University of Leeds, UK and the University of Siena, Italy. Affiliations Ambassador Poptodorova is a founding member and member of the Boards of Bulgarian nongovernmental organizations among which: The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria The Center for Regional and Geopolitical Research The Bulgarian Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association which she currently chairs. Since 1995 Elena Poptodorova is Trustee of the Board of Directors of the American University in Bulgaria. She is also a member of the Washington-based Executive Council on Diplomacy and Women's Foreign Policy Group. Ambassador Poptodorova is Doctor Honoris Causa of the Assumption College, Worcester, USA. Awards and honors 2011 - Distinguished Service Award by the American University in Bulgaria 2008 - The Annual Award of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of the United States of America for leadership and outstanding contribution to the empowerment of women; 2008 - Medal of Honor "For Valour and Merit", I class, of Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior, for outstanding contribution to establishing the rule of law in Bulgaria, and the enhancement of the national interest and of national and European security; 2008 - Recognition Award of the Director of the US Secret Service in appreciation of her many contributions in support of the Secret Service mission and selfless commitment to the ideals and principles of law enforcement. 2007 - The Gold Medal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for outstanding contribution to Bulgaria's accession to the EU; 2003 - The Gold Medal of Bulgaria's Atlantic Club for promoting Bulgaria's membership in NATO; 2003 - Silver Medal on the occasion of 100