Speaker

Mr. Gert Jan Koopman Director-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood at the European Commission With decades of experience, Mr. Koopman has played a key role in EU economic policies, budget management, and enlargement strategies. He began as a lecturer in economics at Utrecht University before joining the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Advice. At the European Commission, he has held influential leadership roles, including Director-General for Budget, overseeing the EU Budget, and Deputy Director-General for State Aids, shaping competition law. He has worked closely with EU leadership, advising on administrative reform, transport policy, and economic governance. Fluent in Dutch, English, and French, he was born in the Netherlands and earned cum laude degrees in Economics and Classics from the University of Amsterdam.