Annemie Neyts, EU Chief Observer (Belgium)

Career:
Minister of the Brussels Government, 1999-2000;
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, 2000-2001;
Minister, Deputy for Foreign Affairs, in charge of European Affairs International Trade and Agriculture, 2001-2003;
President of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, 2003-2004;
President of the Liberal International, 1999-2005;
Co-President of the Federal Commission on the Intercultural Dialogue, 2004-2005;
Member of the European Parliament, (1994-1999, 2004-present);
Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence for the ALDE group in the EP (August 2004-present); Minister of State (1995-present);
President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) (September 2005-present).

Honorary distinctions:
Commander in the “Ordre de Léopold” (Kingdom of Belgium)
Knight in the “Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur” (Republic of France)
Grand Officer in the “Ordre National du Lion” (Republic of Senegal)
Feuille de Laurier d’Or (Republic of Bulgaria)

Education:
University degrees in French, Press and Social Communication, Secondary school teaching (Free University of Brussels 1967, 1968, 1970)