Liese Prokop, AER Honorary President, dies at age 65

It is with great sadness that the AER announces that Liese Prokop died suddenly on New Years Eve 2006.

Liese Prokop was President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) from 2001-2004.Prior to this, she was President of the AER Committee on Culture, Education and Youth from 1996 to 2000 and served from 1998-2001 as First Vice-President of the Assembly.

Members of the AER will remember Liese Prokop for her human approach. She was a very warm person, who was open and interested in everyone. Within the Assembly, she always adopted a consensus-driven approach. Liese Prokop was an extraordinary person and a good example of a pragmatic politician who was interested in finding the best solutions for citizens' problems. This attitude helped to make a strong contribution to the work of the AER.

Shortly after she finished her second term as AER President, Liese Prokop became Minister of Interior in the Federal Government of Austria. At the General Assembly 2005 she was elected Honorary President of the Assembly of European Regions.

Liese Prokop entered politics in 1969 after a distinguished career in sports with an Olympic Silver Medal in pentathlon in1968 and a World Championship title in the same discipline. After being a member of the Parliament of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), she held the position of regional Minister from 1981-1992 and Landeshauptmann-Stellvertreterin (Vice-President) of Lower Austria from 19922004.

Liese Prokop was on her way to hospital in a medical emergency when she died in an ambulance. She leaves behind her husband and three grown-up children.