Wim van Eekelen

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.

Wim van Eekelen
Wim van Eekelen in 1978
Member of the Senate
In office 13 June 1995 – 10 June 2003
Parliamentary group	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
Secretary General of the Western European Union
In office 15 May 1989 – 15 November 1994
Preceded by	Alfred Cahen
Succeeded by	José Cutileiro
Minister of Defence
In office 14 July 1986 – 6 September 1988
Prime Minister	Ruud Lubbers
Preceded by	Job de Ruiter
Succeeded by	Piet Bukman (Ad interim)
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
In office 5 November 1982 – 14 July 1986
Prime Minister	Ruud Lubbers
Preceded by	Hans van den Broek
Succeeded by	René van der Linden
State Secretary for Defence
In office 20 January 1978 – 11 September 1981 Serving with Cees van Lent
Prime Minister	Dries van Agt
Preceded by	Cees van Lent
Succeeded by	Bram 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 group	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
Personal details
Born	Willem Frederik van Eekelen (1931-02-05) 5 February 1931 Utrecht, Netherlands
Nationality	Dutch
Political party	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (from 1955)
Residence	The Hague, Netherlands
Alma mater	Utrecht University (Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Doctor of Philosophy) Princeton University (Bachelor of Social Science, Master of Social Science)
Occupation	Politician · Diplomat · Civil servant · Jurist · Political scientist · Researcher · Political consultant · Corporate director · Nonprofit director · Lobbyist · Author
Military service
Allegiance	Netherlands
Branch/service	Royal Netherlands Army
Years of service	1956–1957 (Conscription) 1957–1961 (Reserve)
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	Regiment Huzaren van Boreel
Battles/wars	Cold War