Carlos Westendorp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carlos Westendorp
Westendorp in 2013
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
In office 18 June 1997 – 17 August 1999
Preceded by	Carl Bildt
Succeeded by	Wolfgang Petritsch
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 18 December 1995 – 5 May 1996
Prime Minister	Felipe González
Preceded by	Javier Solana
Succeeded by	Abel Matutes
4th Secretary of State for the European Union
In office 16 March 1991 – 23 December 1995
Preceded by	Pedro Solbes
Succeeded by	Emilio Fernández-Castaño
Parliamentary offices Member of the European Parliament In office 20 July 1999 – 10 June 2003
Diplomatic posts Spain Ambassador to the United States In office 12 August 2004 – 21 August 2008 Preceded by Javier Rupérez Succeeded by Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo 1st Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union In office 31 December 1985 – 16 March 1991 Preceded by Office established Succeeded by Camilo Barcia García-Villamil
Personal details
Born	Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza (1937-01-07) 7 January 1937 (age 88) Madrid, Spain
Political party	Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Spouse	Amaya Westendorp
Children	3

Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, born on January 7, 1937, is a Spanish diplomat and former politician. He held important roles, like being Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996. He also worked as the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he helped make sure the Dayton Peace Agreement was followed.

Carlos Westendorp's Career

Carlos Westendorp was born in Madrid, Spain, on January 7, 1937. He joined the Spanish Diplomatic Service in 1966. This meant he became a diplomat, representing Spain in other countries.

Early Diplomatic Roles

From 1966 to 1969, he worked as a Deputy Consul General in São Paulo, Brazil. Later, from 1975 to 1979, he was a Commercial and Economic Counselor at the Spanish Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands. In Spain, he held roles like Head of Economic Studies at the Diplomatic School of Spain. He also directed Technological Agreements in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Working with the European Union

A big part of Westendorp's career was helping Spain join the European Communities. This group later became the European Union. From 1979 to 1985, he worked at the Ministry of European Affairs. He was an adviser and later the Secretary General, leading the team that negotiated Spain's entry.

In 1986, when Spain officially joined, he became its first Ambassador Permanent Representative. This meant he was Spain's main representative to the European Communities. In 1989, he led the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) during Spain's first time holding the presidency of the EEC.

Secretary of State for the European Union

From 1991 to 1995, Westendorp was Spain's Secretary of State for the European Union. He played a key part when Spain held the EU Presidency in 1995. During this time, the Euro currency was adopted, the Barcelona process began, and the transatlantic agenda was launched. He also led a group that prepared for changes to EU treaties.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

In December 1995, Carlos Westendorp became Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served in this role until May 1996. After that, he was appointed Spain's Ambassador Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina

From 1997 to 1999, he served as the second High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was a very important job. His role gave him special powers, known as the "Bonn Powers," to make decisions to help carry out the Dayton Agreement. This agreement was a peace deal for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

With these powers, he made new laws on citizenship. He also introduced a new flag and national anthem for the country. He was also involved in removing Nikola Poplašen from his position, even though Poplašen had been elected president.

Later Career and Contributions

In 1999, Westendorp was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for the PSOE. He led the Parliament's Committee on Industry, Trade, Energy, and Research until 2003. In 2003, he became a member of the Madrid Regional Assembly.

After 2004, he was appointed Ambassador to the United States of America. He held this position until 2008. In 2010, he became the Secretary-General of the Club of Madrid, an organization of former democratic presidents and prime ministers.

Today, he is a main advisor to Felipe González, who leads a group helping the European Union plan for challenges between 2020 and 2030. He also runs his own consulting company, Westendorp International S.L. He has given many talks and written articles and books, mostly about European affairs. For his writing, he received the Salvador de Madariaga Prize of Journalism. He has also received several awards, including the Great Cross of the Order of Charles III and Officier de la Légion d’Honneur.

See also

In Spanish: Carlos Westendorp para niños