Poul Nielson

Poul Nielson (born 11 April 1943) is a Danish politician, member of the Social Democrats. He was Energy Minister in the Cabinet of Anker Jørgensen IV and V from 26 October 1979 to 10 September 1982, and Minister for Development Cooperation in the Cabinet of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen II, III, and IV from 27 September 1994 to 10 July 1999. On 17 September 1999 he became European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid when the Prodi Commission took office. In April 2015 Poul Nielson was asked to conduct a strategic review of the labour market on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. He will present his preliminary assessment to the Nordic employment ministers at the end of 2015.