Prof.Jerzy BUZEK

Jerzy Buzek is a Member of the European Parliament since 2004, currently working in the Parliamentary Committees on Foreign Affairs as well as on Industry, Research and Energy. On 14 July 2009 he was elected the President of the European Parliament with the biggest majority of any EP President since the first direct elections in 1979. He was the first EP President from one of the EU’s 2004 enlargement Member States.

During Jerzy Buzek’s presidential mandate, he presided over the transition from the Nice Treaty to the Lisbon Treaty, playing a key-role in the finalisation of the ratification process. He was also very active on the energy front, launching together with Jacques Delors the initiative of a European Energy Community aimed at strengthening energy legislation and cooperation within and outside the EU. In 2013 he was an EP rapporteur for completion of the EU Internal Energy Market. He is a chair of High Level Reflection Group of Energy Community – an extension of the EU internal energy market to EU’s neighborhood – responsible for preparing, by mid-2014, a development and reform strategy of the Community for next ten years Defending and promoting human rights all over the world is an intrinsic part of his MEP activity.

Jerzy Buzek is a chemical engineer and academic professor. Member of the Solidarność movement from its early days; elected the Chair of the first national Solidarity Congress. He preceded the Works Committee, and became a Chairman of the fourth, fifth and sixth national Congresses.

From 1997 to 2001, Jerzy Buzek served as a Prime Minister of Poland, introducing sweeping reforms in pensions, healthcare, local and regional administration, education and the mining sectors. During his period as Prime Minister, Poland acceded to NATO and made key-steps towards its EU membership.

In November 2012, prof. Buzek received the highest Polish state medal – the White Eagle Order – for his contribution to Poland’s democratic transformation, for scientific achievements and for accomplishments in political activity in Poland and in the international arena.