Congratulations to Ms Inés Ayala Sender who on 1 January 2021 became new European Coordinator of the Rhine-Danube Core Network Corridor. The position was taken over from Ms Karla Peijs, following her retirement at the end of 2020.

Inés Ayala Sender is of Spanish origins, born in Zaragoza. She has an extensive background coming from academia to work on the social economy projects and to join the European Parliament prior this new role.

For 10 years, between 1981 and 1991, she was an associated teacher at the University of Zaragoza. She was also a Member of the National Board of UGT (Unión General de Trabajadores) Trade Union in Madrid. In her capacity of a Deputy General Director of FUNDESCOOP, Inés dealt with the EU programs targeting social economy projects. Afterwards, she was appointed National Expert in former DG XI – better known as DG Environment. Ms Ayala Sender became an Administrator for the S&D Group at the European Parliament and was following the ENVI, REGI and TRAN Committees from 1997 to 2004. In 2004, she was elected Member of the European Parliament and followed the TRAN, ENVI, CONT, SEDE, and FEM Committees until 2019. From 2019 onwards, she is an elected member of the City Council of Zaragoza.

We are looking forward to our future cooperation!

Theresia Hacksteiner
28 February 2021