Personal details

SlovenianBorn: March 22, 1958 in Kropa, SloveniaMarried with 2 children

Current duties

European Commissioner for Environment (since February 2010)

Political career

November 2004-February 2010 : European Commissioner for Science and ResearchMay 2004-November 2004 : "Shadow" European Commissioner for Enlargement, sharing portfoliofor six months with Commissioner Günther Verheugen2002- 04 – Slovenian Minister for European Affairs1998-04 – Head of the Negotiating Team for the Accession of Slovenia to the EU2001-02 – Minister Counsellor in Slovenian Prime Minister's cabinet

Professional career

1993-2001 – Director of the Institute of the Macroeconomic Analysis and Development, Ljubljana,Slovenia1988-93 – Senior Researcher at the Institute for Economic Research, Ljubljana1984-87 – Assistant Director at the Institute of Economic Analysis and Development, Ljubljana1991-2004 – part-time Assistant Professor of Statistics and Economy, Faculty of Law, University ofLjubljana

Other activities

2009 – Honorary degree (doctorhonoris causa),Ghent University, Belgium2008 – Honorary degree, Doctor of Science, Imperial College, London

Education

1993 – PhD in Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia1989 – Master's degree, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana1983 – Honours degree in Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana