Born in 1959. Hämeenlinna. Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration, Helsinki School of Economics (1986). Instructor and lecturer of negotiation theories in Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Joensuu. Hämeenlinna town council (1981-1992). Member of the Executive, Regional Council of Häme (1991-1992). Member of the Finnish Parliament 1983-2003. Elector for the Finnish President 1988. Minister of Environment 1991-1995. Vice-Chairman of Kokoomus 1989-1995. Chairman, programme committee, Kokoomus (1989-1995). Chairman, Working Party on an Ecologically and Socially Sound Market Economy, EDU (1989-1992). Chairman, Finnish UN Association (1996-2007). Chairman, World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) (2000-2005). Member of the board, IDEA International Institute for Democracy (2006-). Member of the board, Kone Oy (27.2.2006-). MEP since 2008.