Dr. Erhard Busek, the former Vice Chancellor of Austria, is to become President of the EU-Russia Centre.

Dr. Busek is Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) and former Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. He is a Jean Monnet Professor ad personam, Rector of the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and President of the European Forum Alpbach. Previous posts have included Special Representative of the Austrian Government for the Enlargement of the European Union, as well as Minister for Education and Minister for Science and Research. He was a member of Austrian Parliament and has held a number of posts within the Austrian People’s Party.

Outgoing President, Lord Ashdown, who remains on the Founding Board of the EU-Russia Centre, said, "Erhard Busek did an outstanding job in the Balkans in bringing together diverse groups and I am confident that his vast experience in the international arena will ensure that the EU Russia Centre continues its remarkable progress."

Dr Busek said, "I have watched the development of the EU-Russia Centre with interest and enjoyed participating as a member of its advisory board. Taking on the role of President at a time when EU-Russia relations are as important as ever is an honour and challenge. I am looking forward to working with fellow members and colleagues at the Centre."

Dr Busek has a doctorate in law from the University of Vienna and has been published widely in both German and English. He lives in Vienna and speaks English, French and Italian, as well as mother tongue, German.

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