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{{Short description|Dutch politician and diplomat}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix =
| honorific-prefix =
|name = Wim van Eekelen
| name = Wim van Eekelen
|image = Wim van Eekelen 1986 (1).jpg
| image = Wim van Eekelen 1978 (1).jpg
|imagesize = 250px
| imagesize = 250px
|caption = Wim van Eekelen in 1986
| caption = Wim van Eekelen in 1978
|office = [[Senate (Netherlands)|Member of the Senate]]
| office = [[Senate (Netherlands)|Member of the Senate]]
|term_start = 13 June 1995
| term_start = 13 June 1995
|term_end = 10 June 2003
| term_end = 10 June 2003
|parliamentarygroup = [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|People's Party for <br/> Freedom and Democracy]]
| parliamentarygroup = [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|People's Party for <br/> Freedom and Democracy]]
|office1 = [[List of Secretaries General of the Western European Union|Secretary General of the <br/> Western European Union]]
| office1 = [[List of Secretaries General of the Western European Union|Secretary General of the <br/> Western European Union]]
|term_start1 = 15 May 1989
| term_start1 = 15 May 1989
|term_end1 = 15 November 1994
| term_end1 = 15 November 1994
|predecessor1 = [[Alfred Cahen]]
| predecessor1 = [[Alfred Cahen]]
|successor1 = [[José Cutileiro]]
| successor1 = [[José Cutileiro]]
|office2 = [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands|Minister of Defence]]
| office2 = [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands|Minister of Defence]]
|term_start2 = 14 July 1986
| term_start2 = 14 July 1986
|term_end2 = 6 September 1988
| term_end2 = 6 September 1988
|primeminister2 = [[Ruud Lubbers]]
| primeminister2 = [[Ruud Lubbers]]
|predecessor2 = [[Job de Ruiter]]
| predecessor2 = [[Job de Ruiter]]
|successor2 = [[Piet Bukman]] <small>(''Ad interim'')</small>
| successor2 = [[Piet Bukman]] <small>(''Ad interim'')</small>
|office3 = [[List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Foreign Affairs|State Secretary for Foreign Affairs]]
| office3 = [[List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Foreign Affairs|State Secretary for Foreign Affairs]]
|term_start3 = 5 November 1982
| term_start3 = 5 November 1982
|term_end3 = 14 July 1986
| term_end3 = 14 July 1986
|primeminister3 = [[Ruud Lubbers]]
| primeminister3 = [[Ruud Lubbers]]
|predecessor3 = [[Hans van den Broek]]
| predecessor3 = [[Hans van den Broek]]
|successor3 = [[René van der Linden]]
| successor3 = [[René van der Linden]]
|office4 = [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Defence|State Secretary for Defence]]
| office4 = [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Defence|State Secretary for Defence]]
|term_start4 = 20 January 1978
| term_start4 = 20 January 1978
|term_end4 = 11 September 1981
| term_end4 = 11 September 1981
|primeminister4 = [[Dries van Agt]]
| primeminister4 = [[Dries van Agt]]
|alongside4 = [[Cees van Lent]]
| alongside4 = [[Cees van Lent]]
|predecessor4 = [[Cees van Lent]]
| predecessor4 = [[Cees van Lent]]
|successor4 = [[Bram Stemerdink]] <br/> [[Jan van Houwelingen (politician)|Jan van Houwelingen]]
| successor4 = [[Bram Stemerdink]] <br/> [[Jan van Houwelingen (politician)|Jan van Houwelingen]]
|office5 = [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|Member of the House of Representatives]]
| office5 = [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|Member of the House of Representatives]]
|term_start5 = 3 June 1986
| term_start5 = 3 June 1986
|term_end5 = 14 July 1986
| term_end5 = 14 July 1986
|term_start6 = 25 August 1981
| term_start6 = 25 August 1981
|term_end6 = 5 November 1982
| term_end6 = 5 November 1982
|term_start7 = 8 June 1977
| term_start7 = 8 June 1977
|term_end7 = 20 January 1978
| term_end7 = 20 January 1978
|parliamentarygroup7= [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|People's Party for <br/> Freedom and Democracy]]
| parliamentarygroup7 = [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|People's Party for <br/> Freedom and Democracy]]
|birthname = Willem Frederik van Eekelen
| birthname = Willem Frederik van Eekelen
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1931|02|05}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1931|02|05}}
|birth_place = [[Utrecht]], [[Netherlands]]
| birth_place = [[Utrecht]], [[Netherlands]]
|death_date =
| death_date =
|death_place =
| death_place =
|nationality = [[Netherlands|Dutch]]
| nationality = [[Netherlands|Dutch]]
|party = [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|People's Party for <br/> Freedom and Democracy]] <br/> <small>(from 1955)</small>
| party = [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|People's Party for <br/> Freedom and Democracy]] <br/> <small>(from 1955)</small>
|spouse =
| spouse =
|children =
| children =
|residence = [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]
| residence = [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]
|alma_mater = [[Utrecht University]] <br/> <small>([[Bachelor of Laws]], [[Master of Laws]], [[Doctor of Philosophy]])</small> <br/> [[Princeton University]] <br/> <small>([[Bachelor of Social Science]], [[Master of Social Science]])</small>
| alma_mater = [[Utrecht University]] <br/> <small>([[Bachelor of Laws]], [[Master of Laws]], [[Doctor of Philosophy]])</small> <br/> [[Princeton University]] <br/> <small>([[Bachelor of Arts|A.B.]])</small>
|occupation = [[Politician]] · [[Diplomat]] · [[Civil service|Civil servant]] · [[Jurist]] · [[Political science|Political scientist]] · [[Research|Researcher]] · [[Political consulting|Political consultant]] · [[Board of directors|Corporate director]] · [[Nonprofit organization|Nonprofit director]] · [[Lobbying|Lobbyist]] · [[Author]]
| occupation = [[Politician]] · [[Diplomat]] · [[Civil service|Civil servant]] · [[Jurist]] · [[Political science|Political scientist]] · [[Research]]er · [[Political consulting|Political consultant]] · [[Board of directors|Corporate director]] · [[Nonprofit organization|Nonprofit director]] · [[Lobbying|Lobbyist]] · [[Author]]
|signature =
| signature =
|allegiance = {{flag|Netherlands}}
| allegiance = {{flag|Netherlands}}
|branch = [[Royal Netherlands Army]]
| branch = [[Royal Netherlands Army]]
|serviceyears = 1956–1957 ([[Conscription]]) <br/> 1957–1961 ([[Military reserve force|Reserve]])
| serviceyears = 1956–1957 ([[Conscription]]) <br/> 1957–1961 ([[Military reserve force|Reserve]])
|rank = [[File:Nl-landmacht-eerste luitenant.svg|15px]] [[Lieutenant]]
| rank = [[File:Nl-landmacht-eerste luitenant.svg|15px]] [[Lieutenant]]
|unit = [[Regiment Huzaren van Boreel]]
| unit = [[Regiment Huzaren van Boreel]]
|battles = [[Cold War]]
| battles = [[Cold War]]
|awards =
| awards =
}}
}}


'''Willem Frederik "Wim" van Eekelen''' (born 5 February 1931) is a retired [[Netherlands|Dutch]] politician and diplomat of the [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] (VVD) and political scientist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/van-eekelens-visie-op-paspoortaffaire~b433b3cb4/|title=Van Eekelens visie op paspoortaffaire|date=9 March 2001|publisher=Volkskrant|access-date=6 October 2019|language=nl}}</ref>
'''Willem Frederik "Wim" van Eekelen''' (born 5 February 1931) is a retired [[Netherlands|Dutch]] politician, diplomat, and political scientist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/van-eekelens-visie-op-paspoortaffaire~b433b3cb4/|title=Van Eekelens visie op paspoortaffaire|date=9 March 2001|work=de Volkskrant|access-date=6 October 2019|language=nl}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
⚫
Van Eekelen attended a [[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]] in [[Utrecht]] from June 1943 until June 1949 and applied at the [[Utrecht University]] in June 1949 [[Major (academic)|majoring]] in [[Law]] and obtaining an [[Bachelor of Laws]] degree in July 1951 before graduating with an [[Master of Laws]] degree in November 1954. Van Eekelen applied at the [[Princeton University]] in November 1954 for a [[postgraduate education]] in [[Political science]] obtaining an [[Bachelor of Social Science]] degree and an [[Master of Social Science]] degree in July 1956. Van Eekelen was [[Conscription|conscripted]] in the [[Royal Netherlands Army]] serving in the cavalry [[Regiment Huzaren van Boreel]] as a [[Lieutenant]] from July 1956 until August 1957. Van Eekelen worked as a civil servant for the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] from September 1957 until June 1977 for the [[Diplomatic service]] from September 1957 until May 1974 as a [[Attaché]] in [[New Delhi]], [[India]] from September 1957 until January 1960 in [[Londen]], [[England]] from January 1960 until February 1964. Van Eekelen later returned to the Utrecht University in February 1964 for another postgraduate education where he worked as a researcher and got an [[doctorate|doctorate]] as an [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in Political science on 18 November 1964. Van Eekelen worked as Attaché in [[Accra]], [[Ghana]] from November 1964 until October 1966 and as a senior attaché for the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the [[European Union]] from October 1966 until May 1971 and as a [[Consul (representative)|Consul]] for the [[European Economic Community]] from May 1971 until August 1974. Van Eekelen worked as Director-General for the department of Atlantic Cooperation and Security Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from August 1974 until June 1977.
{{BLP sources section|date=May 2020}}
⚫
Van Eekelen attended a [[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]] in [[Utrecht]] from June 1943 until June 1949 and applied at the [[Utrecht University]] in June 1949 [[Major (academic)|majoring]] in [[Law]] and obtaining a [[Bachelor of Laws]] degree in July 1951. Van Eekelen attended [[Princeton University]] and graduated in 1952 with an A.B. in politics after completing a senior thesis titled "[[Marshall Plan|The Marshall Plan]] and Its Significance for the Netherlands."<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Eekelenm|first=Willem Frederik Van|date=1952|title=The Marshall Plan and Its Significance for the Netherlands|url=http://dataspace.princeton.edu/jspui/handle/88435/dsp01h415pc33q}}</ref> Van Eekelen graduated with an [[Master of Laws]] degree from the University of Utrecht in November 1954. Van Eekelen was [[Conscription|conscripted]] in the [[Royal Netherlands Army]] serving in the cavalry [[Regiment Huzaren van Boreel]] as a [[Lieutenant]] from July 1956 until August 1957. Van Eekelen worked as a civil servant for the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] from September 1957 until June 1977 for the [[Diplomatic service]] from September 1957 until May 1974 as an [[Attaché]] in [[New Delhi]], [[India]] from September 1957 until January 1960 in [[London]], [[England]] from January 1960 until February 1964. Van Eekelen later returned to the Utrecht University in February 1964 for another postgraduate education where he worked as a researcher and got an [[doctorate]] as an [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in Political science on 18 November 1964.

==Career==
{{BLP sources section|date=May 2020}}
Van Eekelen worked as Attaché in [[Accra]], [[Ghana]] from November 1964 until October 1966 and as a senior attaché for the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the [[European Union]] from October 1966 until May 1971 and as a [[Consul (representative)|Consul]] for the [[European Economic Community]] from May 1971 until August 1974. Van Eekelen worked as Director-General for the department of Atlantic Cooperation and Security Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from August 1974 until June 1977.


Van Eekelen was elected as a [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|Member of the House of Representatives]] after the [[1977 Dutch general election|election of 1977]], taking office on 8 June 1977. Following the [[Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1977]] Van Eekelen was appointed as [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Defence|State Secretary for Defence]] in the [[First Van Agt cabinet|Cabinet Van Agt–Wiegel]], taking office on 20 January 1978. After the [[1981 Dutch general election|election of 1981]] Van Eekelen returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 25 August 1981. The Cabinet Van Agt–Wiegel was replaced by the [[Second Van Agt cabinet|Cabinet Van Agt II]] following the [[Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1981]] on 11 September 1981. After the [[1982 Dutch general election|election of 1982]] Van Eekelen was appointed [[List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Foreign Affairs|State Secretary for Foreign Affairs]] in the [[First Lubbers cabinet|Cabinet Lubbers I]], taking office on 5 November 1982. After the [[1986 Dutch general election|election of 1986]] Van Eekelen once again returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 3 June 1986. Following the [[Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1986]] Van Eekelen was appointed as [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands|Minister of Defence]] in the [[Second Lubbers cabinet|Cabinet Lubbers II]], taking office on 14 July 1986. On 6 September 1988 Van Eekelen resigned following the conclusions of a [[:nl:Parlementaire enquête naar de Paspoortaffaire|parliamentary inquiry]] report into a [[passport]] fraud investigation that was mishandled by him during the time he serves as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the previous [[First Lubbers cabinet|cabinet]], his successor as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs [[René van der Linden]] subsequently resigned on 9 September 1988.
Van Eekelen was elected as a [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|Member of the House of Representatives]] after the [[1977 Dutch general election|election of 1977]], taking office on 8 June 1977. Following the [[Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1977]] Van Eekelen was appointed as [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Defence|State Secretary for Defence]] in the [[First Van Agt cabinet|Cabinet Van Agt–Wiegel]], taking office on 20 January 1978. After the [[1981 Dutch general election|election of 1981]] Van Eekelen returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 25 August 1981. The Cabinet Van Agt–Wiegel was replaced by the [[Second Van Agt cabinet|Cabinet Van Agt II]] following the [[Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1981]] on 11 September 1981. After the [[1982 Dutch general election|election of 1982]] Van Eekelen was appointed [[List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands#List of State Secretaries for Foreign Affairs|State Secretary for Foreign Affairs]] in the [[First Lubbers cabinet|Cabinet Lubbers I]], taking office on 5 November 1982. After the [[1986 Dutch general election|election of 1986]] Van Eekelen once again returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 3 June 1986. Following the [[Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1986]] Van Eekelen was appointed as [[List of Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands|Minister of Defence]] in the [[Second Lubbers cabinet|Cabinet Lubbers II]], taking office on 14 July 1986. On 6 September 1988 Van Eekelen resigned following the conclusions of a [[:nl:Parlementaire enquête naar de Paspoortaffaire|parliamentary inquiry]] report into a [[passport]] fraud investigation that was mishandled by him during the time he serves as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the previous [[First Lubbers cabinet|cabinet]], his successor as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs [[René van der Linden]] subsequently resigned on 9 September 1988.
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Van Eekelen remained active in national politics, in April 1989 he was nominated as [[List of Secretaries General of the Western European Union|Secretary General of the Western European Union]], serving from 15 May 1989 until 15 November 1994. Van Eekelen was elected as a [[Senate (Netherlands)|Member of the Senate]] after the [[Historic composition of the Senate of the Netherlands|Senate election of 1995]], taking office on 13 June 1995 serving as a [[frontbencher]] chairing several [[:nl:Eerste Kamercommissie|parliamentary committees]]. In January 2003 Van Eekelen announced his retirement from national politics and that he wouldn't stand for the [[2003 Dutch Senate election|Senate election of 2003]] and continued to serve until the end of the parliamentary term on 10 June 2003.
Van Eekelen remained active in national politics, in April 1989 he was nominated as [[List of Secretaries General of the Western European Union|Secretary General of the Western European Union]], serving from 15 May 1989 until 15 November 1994. Van Eekelen was elected as a [[Senate (Netherlands)|Member of the Senate]] after the [[Historic composition of the Senate of the Netherlands|Senate election of 1995]], taking office on 13 June 1995 serving as a [[frontbencher]] chairing several [[:nl:Eerste Kamercommissie|parliamentary committees]]. In January 2003 Van Eekelen announced his retirement from national politics and that he wouldn't stand for the [[2003 Dutch Senate election|Senate election of 2003]] and continued to serve until the end of the parliamentary term on 10 June 2003.


==After retirement==
Van Eekelen retired after spending 26 years in national politics and became active in the [[private sector]] and [[public sector]] and occupied numerous seats as a corporate director and nonprofit director on several boards of directors and supervisory boards ([[Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy|Institute for Multiparty Democracy]], [[Achmea]], [[Netherlands Atlantic Association]], [[Transnational Institute]], [[Carnegie Foundation (Netherlands)|Carnegie Foundation]] and the [[Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael|Institute of International Relations Clingendael]]) and served as an diplomat and lobbyist for several economic delegations on behalf of the government and as an advocate and lobbyist for [[Democracy]], [[NATO]] and [[European integration]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nporadio1.nl/villa-vpro/onderwerpen/33961-wim-van-eekelen-bedrijfsleven-moet-pro-europees-geluid-laten-horen|title=Wim Van Eekelen: 'bedrijfsleven moet pro-Europees geluid laten horen'|publisher=NPO|date=6 September 2011|accessdate=6 October 2019|language=nl}}</ref>
Van Eekelen retired after spending 26 years in national politics and became active in the [[private sector]] and [[public sector]] and occupied numerous seats as a corporate director and nonprofit director on several boards of directors and supervisory boards ([[Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy|Institute for Multiparty Democracy]], [[Achmea]], [[Netherlands Atlantic Association]], [[Transnational Institute]], [[Carnegie Foundation (Netherlands)|Carnegie Foundation]] and the [[Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael|Institute of International Relations Clingendael]]) and served as an diplomat and lobbyist for several economic delegations on behalf of the government and as an advocate and lobbyist for [[Democracy]], [[NATO]] and [[European integration]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nporadio1.nl/villa-vpro/onderwerpen/33961-wim-van-eekelen-bedrijfsleven-moet-pro-europees-geluid-laten-horen|title=Wim Van Eekelen: 'bedrijfsleven moet pro-Europees geluid laten horen'|publisher=NPO|date=6 September 2011|access-date=6 October 2019|language=nl}}</ref>


Van Eekelen is known for his abilities as a [[Negotiation|negotiator]] and [[Consensus decision-making|consensus builder]]. Van Eekelen continues to comment on political affairs as of {{Currentyear}} and holds the distinction as the only Dutchman that served as Secretary General of the Western European Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/q-mail~b54aee61/|title=Q-mail|publisher=Trouw|date=10 October 2000|accessdate=6 October 2019|language=nl}}</ref>
Van Eekelen is known for his abilities as a [[Negotiation|negotiator]] and [[Consensus decision-making|consensus builder]]. Van Eekelen continues to comment on political affairs as of {{Currentyear}} and holds the distinction as the only Dutchman that served as Secretary General of the Western European Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trouw.nl/nieuws/q-mail~b54aee61/|title=Q-mail|publisher=Trouw|date=10 October 2000|access-date=6 October 2019|language=nl}}</ref>


==Decorations==
==Decorations==
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|
|
|-
|-
| [[File:NLD Order of Orange-Nassau - Grand Officer BAR.png|80px]]
| [[File:Order of Orange-Nassau ribbon - Grand Officer.svg|80px]]
| [[Order (distinction)|Grand Officer]] of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]]
| [[Order (distinction)|Grand Officer]] of the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]]
| Netherlands
| Netherlands
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| 6 May 1998
| 6 May 1998
|
|
|-
| [[File:ROM Order of the Star of Romania VM Comm BAR.svg|80px]]
| [[Order (distinction)|Commander]] of the [[Order of the Star of Romania|Order of the Star]]
| [[Romania]]
| 13 June 2018
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurodefense.nl/nieuws/ednlvoorzitteronderscheiden|title=EDNL voorzitter ontvangt hoge Roemeense onderscheiding|publisher=Eurodefense.nl|date=18 June 2018|access-date=20 October 2019|language=nl}}</ref>
|-
|-
|}
|}
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;Official
;Official
* {{nl icon}} [https://www.parlement.com/id/vg09lli0pnz3/w_f_wim_van_eekelen Dr. W.F. (Wim) van Eekelen] Parlement & Politiek
* {{in lang|nl}} [https://www.parlement.com/id/vg09lli0pnz3/w_f_wim_van_eekelen Dr. W.F. (Wim) van Eekelen] Parlement & Politiek
* {{nl icon}} [https://www.eerstekamer.nl/persoon/dr_w_f_van_eekelen_vvd Dr. W.F. van Eekelen (VVD)] Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal
* {{in lang|nl}} [https://www.eerstekamer.nl/persoon/dr_w_f_van_eekelen_vvd Dr. W.F. van Eekelen (VVD)] Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
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[[Category:1931 births]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Advocates of the European Union]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the Netherlands Lion]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the Netherlands Lion]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the Star of Romania]]
[[Category:Dutch corporate directors]]
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[[Category:Dutch democracy activists]]
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[[Category:Dutch political scientists]]
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[[Category:European Union lobbyists]]
[[Category:Foreign policy writers]]
[[Category:Foreign policy writers]]
[[Category:Geopoliticians]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Grand Officiers of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Order of Orange-Nassau]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Order of Orange-Nassau]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Order of Leopold II]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Order of Leopold II]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Netherlands)]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Netherlands)]]
[[Category:Members of the Senate (Netherlands)]]
[[Category:Members of the Senate (Netherlands)]]
[[Category:Members of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences]]
[[Category:Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Ministers of Defence of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:People from The Hague]]
[[Category:Politicians from Utrecht (city)]]
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[[Category:20th-century Dutch politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Dutch politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch civil servants]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch civil servants]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch diplomats]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch diplomats]]
[[Category:20th-century Dutch jurists]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch politicians]]

{{Netherlands-VVD-politician-stub}}

Revision as of 13:59, 3 June 2023

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
Political partyPeople's Party for
Freedom and Democracy
(from 1955)
Residence(s)The Hague, Netherlands
Alma materUtrecht University
(Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Doctor of Philosophy)
Princeton University
(A.B.)
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

Willem Frederik "Wim" van Eekelen (born 5 February 1931) is a retired Dutch politician, diplomat, and political scientist.[1]

Early life and education

Van Eekelen attended a Gymnasium in Utrecht from June 1943 until June 1949 and applied at the Utrecht University in June 1949 majoring in Law and obtaining a Bachelor of Laws degree in July 1951. Van Eekelen attended Princeton University and graduated in 1952 with an A.B. in politics after completing a senior thesis titled "The Marshall Plan and Its Significance for the Netherlands."[2] Van Eekelen graduated with an Master of Laws degree from the University of Utrecht in November 1954. Van Eekelen was conscripted in the Royal Netherlands Army serving in the cavalry Regiment Huzaren van Boreel as a Lieutenant from July 1956 until August 1957. Van Eekelen worked as a civil servant for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from September 1957 until June 1977 for the Diplomatic service from September 1957 until May 1974 as an Attaché in New Delhi, India from September 1957 until January 1960 in London, England from January 1960 until February 1964. Van Eekelen later returned to the Utrecht University in February 1964 for another postgraduate education where he worked as a researcher and got an doctorate as an Doctor of Philosophy in Political science on 18 November 1964.

Career

Van Eekelen worked as Attaché in Accra, Ghana from November 1964 until October 1966 and as a senior attaché for the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the European Union from October 1966 until May 1971 and as a Consul for the European Economic Community from May 1971 until August 1974. Van Eekelen worked as Director-General for the department of Atlantic Cooperation and Security Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from August 1974 until June 1977.

Van Eekelen was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives after the election of 1977, taking office on 8 June 1977. Following the cabinet formation of 1977 Van Eekelen was appointed as State Secretary for Defence in the Cabinet Van Agt–Wiegel, taking office on 20 January 1978. After the election of 1981 Van Eekelen returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 25 August 1981. The Cabinet Van Agt–Wiegel was replaced by the Cabinet Van Agt II following the cabinet formation of 1981 on 11 September 1981. After the election of 1982 Van Eekelen was appointed State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet Lubbers I, taking office on 5 November 1982. After the election of 1986 Van Eekelen once again returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 3 June 1986. Following the cabinet formation of 1986 Van Eekelen was appointed as Minister of Defence in the Cabinet Lubbers II, taking office on 14 July 1986. On 6 September 1988 Van Eekelen resigned following the conclusions of a parliamentary inquiry report into a passport fraud investigation that was mishandled by him during the time he serves as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the previous cabinet, his successor as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs René van der Linden subsequently resigned on 9 September 1988.

Minister of Defence Wim van Eekelen and Minister of Defence of France André Giraud at the Ministry of Defence on 13 April 1987.

Van Eekelen remained active in national politics, in April 1989 he was nominated as Secretary General of the Western European Union, serving from 15 May 1989 until 15 November 1994. Van Eekelen was elected as a Member of the Senate after the Senate election of 1995, taking office on 13 June 1995 serving as a frontbencher chairing several parliamentary committees. In January 2003 Van Eekelen announced his retirement from national politics and that he wouldn't stand for the Senate election of 2003 and continued to serve until the end of the parliamentary term on 10 June 2003.

After retirement

Van Eekelen retired after spending 26 years in national politics and became active in the private sector and public sector and occupied numerous seats as a corporate director and nonprofit director on several boards of directors and supervisory boards (Institute for Multiparty Democracy, Achmea, Netherlands Atlantic Association, Transnational Institute, Carnegie Foundation and the Institute of International Relations Clingendael) and served as an diplomat and lobbyist for several economic delegations on behalf of the government and as an advocate and lobbyist for Democracy, NATO and European integration.[3]

Van Eekelen is known for his abilities as a negotiator and consensus builder. Van Eekelen continues to comment on political affairs as of 2024 and holds the distinction as the only Dutchman that served as Secretary General of the Western European Union.[4]

Decorations

Honours
Ribbon bar Honour Country Date Comment
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit Germany 12 October 1984
Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold II Belgium 15 September 1986
Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour France 17 February 1987
Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau Netherlands 10 December 1988
Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion Netherlands 20 November 1994 Elevated from Knight (26 October 1981)
Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit Poland 6 May 1998
Commander of the Order of the Star Romania 13 June 2018 [5]

References

  1. ^ "Van Eekelens visie op paspoortaffaire". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 9 March 2001. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  2. ^ Eekelenm, Willem Frederik Van (1952). "The Marshall Plan and Its Significance for the Netherlands". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Wim Van Eekelen: 'bedrijfsleven moet pro-Europees geluid laten horen'" (in Dutch). NPO. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Q-mail" (in Dutch). Trouw. 10 October 2000. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  5. ^ "EDNL voorzitter ontvangt hoge Roemeense onderscheiding" (in Dutch). Eurodefense.nl. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
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Official
Political offices
Preceded by State Secretary for Defence
1978–1981
Served alongside:
Cees van Lent 		Succeeded by
Succeeded by
Preceded by State Secretary for
Foreign Affairs
1982–1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Defence
1986–1988 		Succeeded by
Piet Bukman
Ad interim
Civic offices
Preceded by
Unknown
 Director-General of the Department for
Atlantic Cooperation and
Security Affairs of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1974–1977 		Succeeded by
Unknown
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Secretary General of the
Western European Union
1989–1994 		Succeeded by
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