Andres Tarand

Andres Tarand (born 11 January 1940 in Tallinn), is an Estonian politician and Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party, part of the Party of European Socialists. Tarand also served as the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1994 to 1995.

Born in Tallinn, Tarand graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in climatology in 1963. After receiving his first degree he continued his studies at Tartu receiving a second degree in geography in 1973. He continued to do research at Tartu, eventually becoming director of research in 1979, to 1981.

Besides serving as director of research at University of Tartu, Tarand has also been a member of the board for the university, since 1996, as well as director of the Tallinn Botanical Gardens, from 1988-1990.

Tarand has also been a member of the Estonian Parliament, ("Estonian: Riigikogu") from 1992 to 2004. While in parliament Tarand served as the Minister for the Environment of Estonia twice, 1992 to 1994 and 1994 to 1995, as well as his term as Prime Minister. He was elected to the European Parliament in 2004.

Tarand has also been involved in environmental and sustainable development concerns not only in Estonia but throughout the Baltic and Nordic states. His involvement in these concerns has led to his involvement in such organisations as the Estonian Geographical Association, Estonian Institute for Sustainable Development, Stockholm Environment Institute, Estonian Nature Fund, and Globe International Europe.

External links

*et icon [http://www.atarand.ee/ Official site]