Born 12th May 1967 in Vienna, Austria: is Head of the Regional Defence Cooperations (including Near and Middle East as well as Africa and Eastern Europe) in the Austrian MOD. Within this responsibility, he plans and oversees all bi- and multilateral defence cooperations in these regions as well as whole of government processes in the field of comprehensive security and development policy. From 2000 to 2003 he was spokesperson and deputy chief of cabinet of the former Minister for Defence. From 2002 to 2005, he was member and chairperson of a parliamentarian group within the legacy of Vienna and from 2005 to 2007 political director of a parliamentarian group within the national parliament. Before 2000 he worked as chief of office to the third presidents of the national parliament and before that as Secretary General for an Austrian NGO in Croatia in 1992 after he left the Austrian Army. He is also Member of reasonable governmental an international working groups on the topic of Comprehensive Approach, Development Policy, army transformation, CIMIC, conscription and civil services over the last two decades as well as author on articles relating to these topics. Education and Training: He holds a Masters degree in Politics and Economy and a postgraduate degree in Public Relations from the University of Vienna. In 2013 he graduated the Political Adviser Course for CSDP of the European Union, in 2005 the Strategic Leader Course of the Federal Government in Austria and in 2004 the Course for Legal Advisers in the Public Service. Military Career: In 2018, he completed his National Commanders Officer and International Special Forces Staff Officer Course and today holds a reserve position as Staff Officer within the Austrian Special Forces. He is a trained Parachuter, Advanced Mountaineer and Close Combat Instructor. From 1985 to 1987, he completed two different reserve officer courses (Artillery and Guerrilla type warfare) and afterwards stayed within the forces as instructor as well as Platoon Commander and Training Officer in the Austrian Army until 1992. Over the decades, he took part in different Austrian Military Contingencies in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Syria and Kosovo on short time basis. Languages: Beside German (mother tongue) he speaks English (fluently), French (fair) and Arabic (fair)
