Wim van Eekelen

Netherlands' defence minister and secretary general of the EU

Willem Frederik "Wim" van Eekelen (born 5 February 1931) is a retired Dutch politician and diplomat. He is a member of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). He also is a political scientist.[1]

Wim van Eekelen
Wim van Eekelen in 1978
Member of the Senate
In office
13 June 1995 – 10 June 2003
Parliamentary groupPeople's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Secretary General of the
Western European Union
In office
15 May 1989 – 15 November 1994
Preceded byAlfred Cahen
Succeeded byJosé Cutileiro
Minister of Defence
In office
14 July 1986 – 6 September 1988
Prime MinisterRuud Lubbers
Preceded byJob de Ruiter
Succeeded byPiet Bukman (Ad interim)
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
In office
5 November 1982 – 14 July 1986
Prime MinisterRuud Lubbers
Preceded byHans van den Broek
Succeeded byRené van der Linden
State Secretary for Defence
In office
20 January 1978 – 11 September 1981
Serving with Cees van Lent
Prime MinisterDries van Agt
Preceded byCees van Lent
Succeeded byBram Stemerdink
Jan van Houwelingen
Member of the House of Representatives
In office
3 June 1986 – 14 July 1986
In office
25 August 1981 – 5 November 1982
In office
8 June 1977 – 20 January 1978
Parliamentary groupPeople's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
Personal details
Born
Willem Frederik van Eekelen

(1931-02-05) 5 February 1931 (age 93)
Utrecht, Netherlands
NationalityDutch
Political partyPeople's Party for
Freedom and Democracy

(from 1955)
ResidenceThe Hague, Netherlands
Alma materUtrecht University
(Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Doctor of Philosophy)
Princeton University
(Bachelor of Social Science, Master of Social Science)
OccupationPolitician · Diplomat · Civil servant · Jurist · Political scientist · Researcher · Political consultant · Corporate director · Nonprofit director · Lobbyist · Author
Military service
Allegiance Netherlands
Branch/serviceRoyal Netherlands Army
Years of service1956–1957 (Conscription)
1957–1961 (Reserve)
Rank Lieutenant
UnitRegiment Huzaren van Boreel
Battles/warsCold War

References change

  1. "Van Eekelens visie op paspoortaffaire" (in Dutch). Volkskrant. 9 March 2001. Retrieved 6 October 2019.