Dimitris Avramopoulos

Dimitris Avramopoulos (born 6 June 1953) is a Greek politician and diplomat who has served in various governmental roles in Greece and the European Union. He is best known for his tenure as the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship.

Early Life and Education

Avramopoulos was born in Athens, Greece. He studied at the University of Athens, where he earned a degree in Public Law and Political Science. He furthered his education with postgraduate studies in International Organization at Boston University and in European Studies at the Université libre de Bruxelles.

Political Career

Avramopoulos began his political career in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served in various diplomatic positions. He was elected as a Member of the Hellenic Parliament in 1993, representing the New Democracy party.

Mayor of Athens

From 1995 to 2002, Avramopoulos served as the Mayor of Athens. During his tenure, he focused on urban development and international relations, enhancing the city's profile on the global stage.

Ministerial Roles

Avramopoulos has held several ministerial positions in the Greek government, including:

• Minister of Tourism (2004–2006)
• Minister of Health and Social Solidarity (2006–2009)
• Minister of National Defence (2011–2012, 2013–2014)

European Commissioner

In 2014, Avramopoulos was appointed as the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, a position he held until 2019. In this role, he was responsible for addressing the European migrant crisis and developing policies on asylum, border security, and counter-terrorism.

Personal Life

Dimitris Avramopoulos is married and has two children. He is fluent in Greek, English, French, and Italian.

See Also

• European Commission
• Migration policy of the European Union
• New Democracy (Greece)

References

• European Commission Profile
• Hellenic Parliament