Bulgaria's Eva Paunova 'European Parliament's Best Newcomer' in 2015

Bulgarian MEP Eva Paunova (EPP) has been awarded for being the "best newcomer" in the European Parliament.

In The Parliament Magazine, a Brussels-based news edition, 18 MEPs were pointed as the winners for 2015.

The magazine quotes her as saying that "despite working in the European Parliament for five years [as an assistant], a lot has changed - these have been stressful and busy times, but I am very thankful for all the people who have supported, energised and inspired me".

Paunova made it into Parliament last year in the May elections, running on conservative GERB's ticket.

A statement of the EPP reads that she competed with four other MEPs.