Gilles de KERCHOVE was appointed EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator on 19 September 2007. In this function, he coordinates the work of the European Union in the field of counter-terrorism, maintains an overview of all the instruments at the Union's disposal, closely monitors the implementation of the EU counter-terrorism strategy and fosters better communication between the EU and third Countries to ensure that the Union plays an active role in the fight against terrorism.

 

He was previously Director for Justice and Home Affairs at the EU Council General Secretariat (1995-2007) and Deputy Secretary of the Convention which drafted the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union (1999-2000). Before that he was Head of the Private Office of the deputy Prime-Minister of the Federal Government of Belgium, Minister of Justice and Minister of Economic Affairs (1993-1995) and Head of the Private Office of the deputy Prime-Minister of the Federal Government of Belgium, Minister of Justice and Minister of SMEs (1989-1992).

 

Mr. de Kerchove is a professor of European Law at the Université Catholique de Louvain, at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and at the Université Saint Louis-Bruxelles.

 

He has published a number of books on European law, human rights, security and counter terrorism.