I took up the post of Energy Commissioner in November 2004. Since the EU enlargement on 1st of May 2004, when the Commissioners of the new Member States came into the European Commission, I was heading the Cabinet of Latvian Commissioner Mrs. Sandra Kalniete. Before joining the European Commission, I worked for almost a decade in diplomacy. I started my diplomatic career in 1995 when I became the ambassador of Latvia in Estonia. During five years – between 1998 and 2003 – I was the Ambassador of Latvia to the European Union, later – Undersecretary of State for EU affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.
Six years of my career I have spent being active in Latvian politics. From 1990 till 1993 I was Minister of Education, in 1993 and 1994 I was chairing the Budget and finance committee of the Parliament of Latvia (Saeima). In 1994 I became Finance minister of Latvia and held this post for two years.
I was born in Valmiera (Latvia) on 17th September 1957, and in 1980 I obtained my degree in Physics from University of Latvia. During the eight years time after my university studies I worked as a teacher, later Headmaster of the 1st Secondary School of Valmiera. My career in the education system continued when I started to work as Director of the Department in the Ministry of Education of Latvia.
I am married and have three children.
- You can consult my detailed CV here
