Karel De Gucht

Karel De Gucht is European Commissioner for Trade since 2010. Following an initial career in law, Commissioner De Gucht was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 1980, where he remained until 1994. During his political career, Commissioner De Gucht has been a member of the Bureau of the PVV-Open Vld political party, Member of the Flemish Parliament and Minister for International Trade. In 2004, he was elected Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 2009, he became Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Since 2002, Commissioner De Gucht has also held the honorary title of Minister of State in Belgium.