About the twitterers

Olivier Chastel

A pharmacist by training and father of two children, Olivier Chastel has been Secretary of State for European Affairs, in charge of preparing the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, since March 2008, a challenge to which he has risen enthusiastically.

This is an innovative Presidency for Belgium this time round, following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. As Secretary of State for European Affairs, Olivier Chastel is basically in charge of relations with the European Parliament, which has been promoted to co-legislator with the Council. A pro-active person, he has every intention of ensuring that specific issues are brought to a close.

Olivier Chastel hopes that this Presidency will make the European project tangible and accessible to the citizens of Europe.

http://twitter.com/PRES_Chastel

Paul Magnette

Before becoming Minister for Social Action and Health within the Walloon Government in July 2007, Paul Magnette was Head of Research for the Belgium Scientific Research Fund (FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique), then Professor of Political Sciences and Director of the Institute of European Studies (Institut d’études européennes) at the Free University of Brussels (Université Libre de Bruxelles).

At the end of December 2007, Paul Magnette was appointed Minister for Climate and Energy in the federal government, responsible for the environment, sustainable development and consumer protection. He and his three regional colleagues have identified three priority areas for this Presidency: the climate, biodiversity and sustainable consumption and production methods.

http://twitter.com/PRES_Magnette

Jean-Claude Marcourt

Vice President and Minister for the Economy, SMEs, Foreign Trade and New Technologies of the Walloon Government and Vice President and Minister of Higher Education of the French Community

http://twitter.com/PRES_Marcourt

Annemie Turtelboom

Minister of the Interior

Annemie Turtelboom is a university economics graduate, married with two children. Since July 2009 she has been the Minister of the Interior. This is the first time that a woman has been in charge of this department. Before Annemie Turtelboom joined the Ministry of the Interior she was responsible for Asylum and Migration, where she put the issue of ‘smart’ economic migration on the agenda. Between 2003 and 2007 Annemie Turtelboom was an Open VLD member of the Federal Parliament and concentrated on social affairs, work and pensions.

http://twitter.com/PRES_Turtelboom