1972, graduate, Finance and Credit Department, Tartu State University; 1975, postgraduate studies. Visiting Professor, Tartu University. 1975-79, Specialist, Finance Ministry, Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic; 1979-86, Director, Estonian Central Board of Savings Banks; 1986-89, Deputy Editor, Estonian daily newspaper "Rahva Hääl"; 1989-91, Chairman, Estonian Central Association of Trade Unions; 1991-95, President, Bank of Estonia; since 1994, Chairman, Estonian Reform Party; 1995-96, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia; 1995-99, Member of Parliament and Member of the Parliamentary National Defence Committee; 1999-2002, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Estonia; 2002-03, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia; since 2003, Member of Parliament and Chairman, Estonian Reform Party Faction. Interests: literature, theatre, music, playing tennis, cycling (President of Estonian Cyclists Union). Recipient of awards and honours: Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2000); Légion d'Honneur, France (2001); Order of the National Coat of Arms 2nd Class (2003).