Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford in international political economy; D.Phil. thesis: Corporatism and Industrial Competitiveness in Small European States
1989
Master of Soc. Sc. in political science, University of Helsinki
1982-1983
Studies in economics, international relations and journalism at Macalester College, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
Main activities
Since November 2004
Member of the European Commission responsible for Enlargement
July - November 2004
Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enterprise and the Information Society
2003-2004
Economic Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Finland
2002-2003
Professor and Director of Research, Department of Political Science & Centre for European Studies, University of Helsinki
1998-2002
Head of Cabinet, the European Commission
1995-1996
Member of the European Parliament
1992-1993
Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Finland
1991-1995
Member of the Parliament of Finland
1988-1994
Member of the City Council of Helsinki
1988-1994
Deputy Chairman of the Centre Party of Finland
1987-1989
Chairman of the Centre Youth of Finland
Other
European politics: Vice-President of the Liberal Group in the EP 1995-1995; Chairman of the Finnish Delegation to the Council of Europe 1991-1995; Vice-President of the European Movement of Finland 1996-1998.
Several books and articles. The latest ones on European issues: Europe's Next Frontiers (Nomos, Baden-Baden 2006) and Suomen eurooppalainen valinta ei ole suhdannepolitiikkaa (WSOY, Helsinki 2006).
Columnist in several newspapers or magazines since 1985.
Language skills: Active: Finnish (mother tongue), English (primary working language), French, Swedish. Passive: German.
Military service: Savon Prikaati & the Reserve Officer School, class 168, 1981-1982. Lieutenant (reserves) in 1990.
Salesman (spare parts; during holidays), Mikkelin Autotarvike 1975-1982.
Chairman of the Football League of Finland 1996-1997.
Associated football since 1968 in several clubs, including FC Mikkelin Palloilijat (youth teams 1968-1978, first team 1979-1982), FC Finnish Parliament (1991-) and CS Eurocommission II (1998-2002).
Special interests: Political economy. Rock and jazz. Reading.
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