Thorbjørn Jagland elected new Council of Europe Secretary General

The elections were held in the autumn session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe which opened yesterday in Strasbourg.

Throughout his political career Jagland actively participated in international politics, and held several senior positions in Norway and internationally.

Throughout his political career Jagland actively participated in international politics, and held several senior positions in Norway and internationally.

Rival to Jagland for the post of Secretary General of PACE was former Prime Minister of Poland Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz.

As a member of parliament for the last 15 years, Jagland over the past four years served as president of the Storting (Norwegian parliament). He also served as Prime Minister (1996-97) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway (2000-2001).
 
In March this year he was elected chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which annually awards the Nobel Peace Prize.

Secretary General is elected for five years. New Secretary General will take office on Oct. 1, 2009

Thorbjørn Jagland is married to Hanne Grotyord, has two sons.

/Day.Az/