1980, degree in Physics, University of Latvia. 1990-93, Minister of Education; 1993-94, Chairman, Finance and Budget Commission of Parliament. 1994-95 Minister of Finance. 1995-1997 Ambassador to Estonia. 1997- 2003 Ambassador to the EU. 2004-2010 EU Commissioner for Energy. 2010-2014 EU Commissioner for Development. 2015 Adviser to the President of Latvia.