Joachim Bitterlich, Ambassador ret., professor at the ESCP Europe Paris. He studied law, economics and politics in Saarbrücken and at the ENA in Paris. He worked in diplomacy and politics (among others in Algier, Brussels, German ministries; he was direct advisor to German chancellor Kohl as responsible for the European policies and then for foreign and security as well as development policies. His latest appointment was as ambassador at NATO and in Spain. In the private economy he worked as executive vice president managing the international affairs section at the French corporation Veolia Environment in Paris. He sits in various advisory and executive boards in France, Germany and other countries. Ambassador Bitterlich has received various awards, is member in German, European and international institutions, and publishes regularly.