FORA.tv Speaker - Karel De Gucht

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belgium Karel De Gucht has been the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2004 and is the sitting chairman-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Minister de Gucht was elected to the Belgian Federal Parliament in 2003 following an eight-year term as a member of the Flemish Parliament. He was a Belgian senator from 1994 to 1995, and was National President of the VLD, the Flemish Liberals and Democrats between 1999 and 2004. Additionally, he served as a member of the European Parliament for 14 years until 1994. Minister De Gucht began his political career as national president of both the Liberal Student Union and Liberal Youth organizations. He has served as both a local alderman and local councilor.