Willy Claes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willy Claes
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Claes in 2008
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| 8th Secretary General of NATO | |
| In office 17 October 1994 – 20 October 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Manfred Wörner Sergio Balanzino (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Sergio Balanzino (acting) Javier Solana |
| President of the Party of European Socialists | |
| In office November 1992 – October 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Guy Spitaels |
| Succeeded by | Rudolf Scharping |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 7 March 1992 – 10 October 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Jean-Luc Dehaene |
| Preceded by | Mark Eyskens |
| Succeeded by | Frank Vandenbroucke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 November 1938 Hasselt, Belgium |
| Political party | Socialistische Partij Anders (SP.A) |
| Spouse | Suzanne Meynen |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Vrije Universiteit Brussel |
Willem Werner Hubert "Willy" Claes was born on November 24, 1938, in Hasselt, Belgium. He is a Belgian politician who held many important roles. He is best known for being the eighth Secretary General of NATO, a big international organization.
Willy Claes studied political and diplomatic sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. This helped him prepare for his long career in government. He was a member of the Flemish Socialist Party, a political group in Belgium.
Contents
A Career in Belgian Politics
Willy Claes started his political journey in his hometown. He first served on the city council in Hasselt. This was his first step into public service.
Joining the National Government
In 1968, Claes was elected to the Belgian Federal Parliament. This meant he became a representative for people across Belgium. He then joined the Belgian government as a minister.
In 1972, he became the Minister of Education. This role meant he was in charge of schools and learning across the country. Later, he served as the Minister of Economic Affairs three different times between 1973 and 1992. This job involved looking after Belgium's economy.
Willy Claes also served as Deputy Prime Minister five times. This is a very important role, helping the Prime Minister lead the country. He was known for being a key negotiator in forming new governments during the 1980s.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
From 1992 to 1994, Willy Claes was Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this role, he represented Belgium to other countries around the world. During this time, he was involved in decisions about Belgium's role in international peacekeeping missions.
Leading NATO
Willy Claes became the Secretary General of NATO in 1994. NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is a group of countries that work together to keep peace and protect each other. As Secretary General, Claes was the main leader of this important organization. He held this position from 1994 until 1995.
A Love for Music
Beyond his political life, Willy Claes is also a talented pianist. He has often performed in concerts. Even when he was leading NATO, he kept a piano in his home. This allowed him to continue practicing his music.
Awards and Recognition
Willy Claes has received several honors for his public service. These include:
- Minister of State
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II
See also
In Spanish: Willy Claes para niños
