Willy Martens

Date of Birth:19.04.1936

Place of Birth, Education. Born in Slijdrecht (Belgium). Graduated in 1960 from the Catholic University of Leuven. Doctor of Law, Notary studies and Bachelor's degree in Thomistic Philosophy. In 1968, he studied international politics at Harvard University.

Career. 1972-1979 - Chairman of the Belgian Christian Social Party (now Christian Democratic and Flemish).

In 1976, Martens was a co-founder of the European People's Party. Today, the EPP is one of the largest parties in Europe, represented in all political institutions of the European Union as well as in the Council of Europe. The party includes 73 collective members, national parties from 39 countries.

1974-1991 - Member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives (Federal Parliament).

From April 1979 to April 1981 and from December 1981 to March 1992 - Prime Minister of Belgium. Formed the government nine times.

1991-1994 - Member of the Belgian Senate.

Since 1992 President of the European People's Party. Today it is the largest transnational European political party with 75 member parties from 40 countries.1994-1998 - Member of the European Parliament, Chairman of the EPP Group.He is known in Ukraine for his statements in favor of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (her party Batkivshchyna has been a member of the EPP Administrative Board since 2008).Awards. In 1998 awarded the Karl V Prize for his contribution to the development of the European Union.

Family. Married three times. Father of five children from two marriages.

07.05.2013