1970, JD, University of Salzburg. 1971-78, Export Manager, Germany; 1978-81, manager, European sales, New York company; until 1983, assistant to management, German employer; with Austrian Embassy, Madrid; 1984, with diplomatic service; 1984-86, with Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Vienna; First Secretary, Austrian Embassy, Dakar; Development Aid Department, Foreign Ministry; Councillor for Economic Affairs, Deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, Austrian Embassy, Paris; 1993, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Chief of Protocol, Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs; 1994, Chief of Protocol, Executive Office of Secretary-General, UN, New York; 1995 and 1997-2000, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs; 2000, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Austria; since 2004, current position.