economic measures, and supporting the development of nuclear fusion and the ITER project. Following his hearing Piebalgs received strong backing from across the political spectrum, including the Greens, who had previously described László Kovács's performance on energy issues as "an offense to the parliament". Development Hearing of the Commissioner Designate for Development took place on 11 January 2010 in the European Parliament. During three hours members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Committees of Development, Foreign Affairs and International Trade questioned him about his political priorities and key aims of development policy. Commissioner Designate stressed that his main priorities in the office will be to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), ensure that EU Members States honour their commitments in regard to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) and to make our international aid more efficient. Piebalgs underlined the need to take advantage of the creation of the post of a foreign policy High Representative and External Action Service, without, however "allowing development policy to be seen in any way as simply a tool to achieve wider political goals for the EU". He also stressed the need "to maintain the EU's role as a champion of the developing world." Other activities From 2012 to 2013, Piebalgs served – alongside Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, David Cameron and others – on the High-level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda, an advisory board established by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to develop the global development agenda beyond 2015, the target date for the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, Piegbals has held various honorary positions, including: Friends of Europe, member of the board of trustees Friends of the Global Fund, member of the board Personal life Andris Piebalgs is married and has three children. During his free time he likes to play tennis and to go skiing. References External links Andris Piebalgs Official Media Gallery Official website Video of the hearing of Commissioner Designate for Development Andris Piebalgs' visit to Guinea – Radio France Internationale |- |- 1957 births Living people People from Valmiera Communist Party of the Soviet Union members Latvian Way politicians Latvia's First Party/Latvian Way politicians New Unity politicians Ministers of Finance of Latvia Deputies of the 5th Saeima Ambassadors of Latvia to Estonia Permanent Representatives of Latvia to the European Union Latvian European Commissioners University of Latvia alumni Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 2nd Class