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Wim van Eekelen
Wim van Eekelen 1978 (1).jpg
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
Died 25 June 2025(2025-06-25) (aged 94)
The Hague, Netherlands
Political party People's Party for
Freedom and Democracy

(from 1955)
Residences The Hague, Netherlands
Alma mater Utrecht University
(Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Doctor of Philosophy)
Princeton University
(A.B.)
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 Nl-landmacht-eerste luitenant.svg Lieutenant
Unit Regiment Huzaren van Boreel
Battles/wars Cold War

Willem Frederik van Eekelen (born 5 February 1931) was a Dutch politician, diplomat, and political scientist. He passed away on 25 June 2025, at the age of 94. He was known for his long career in government and international affairs.

Wim van Eekelen: A Life in Politics

Wim van Eekelen had a very active career. He served in many important roles. These included being a member of the Dutch Parliament and a government minister. He also worked as a diplomat for his country.

Early Life and Education

Wim van Eekelen went to a special high school called a Gymnasium in Utrecht. He studied there from 1943 to 1949. After that, he went to Utrecht University to study Law. He earned his first law degree in 1951.

He also studied in the United States. He attended Princeton University and graduated in 1952. His main subject was politics. He wrote a paper about the Marshall Plan and its importance for the Netherlands. He then returned to Utrecht University. He earned another law degree in 1954.

Van Eekelen also served in the Royal Netherlands Army. He was a Lieutenant in the cavalry. This was from 1956 to 1957.

Starting a Career in Diplomacy

After his military service, Van Eekelen became a civil servant. He worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This started in 1957. He worked as a diplomat in different countries.

He was an Attaché in New Delhi, India, from 1957 to 1960. Then he worked in London, England, until 1964. He also went back to Utrecht University for more studies. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in political science in 1964.

After that, he continued his diplomatic work. He was an Attaché in Accra, Ghana. This was from 1964 to 1966. He then worked with the European Union. He was a senior attaché and later a Consul for the European Economic Community.

His Political Journey

In 1977, Wim van Eekelen was elected. He became a Member of the House of Representatives. This is part of the Dutch Parliament. Later that year, he became a State Secretary for Defence. He held this role until 1981.

He returned to Parliament in 1981. In 1982, he became State Secretary for Foreign Affairs. This is a high-level government position. He served in this role until 1986.

In 1986, he was elected to Parliament again. Soon after, he became the Minister of Defence. He served as Minister until 1988. He resigned from this role due to an issue that occurred when he was State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Minister Van Eekelen (m) en Franse minister Girand inspecteren erewacht op het P, Bestanddeelnr 933-9519
Minister of Defence Wim van Eekelen and Minister of Defence of France André Giraud at the Ministry of Defence on 13 April 1987.

After leaving his minister role, Van Eekelen continued in politics. In 1989, he became the Secretary General of the Western European Union. This was an important international role. He held this position until 1994.

In 1995, he was elected to the Senate. This is the upper house of the Dutch Parliament. He served there until 2003. He chaired several important committees. In 2003, he decided to retire from national politics.

After His Retirement

After 26 years in politics, Wim van Eekelen retired. He stayed active in many areas. He served on the boards of several organizations. These included groups focused on democracy and international relations. He also worked as a diplomat and advocate. He supported democracy, NATO, and European cooperation.

Van Eekelen was known for his skills. He was good at negotiating and helping groups agree. He was the only Dutchman to serve as Secretary General of the Western European Union. He continued to share his thoughts on political matters in his later years.

Decorations

Wim van Eekelen received many honors. These awards recognized his important work.

Honours
Ribbon bar Honour Country Date Comment
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 6 GrVK Stern Band.svg Grand Cross of the Order of Merit Germany 12 October 1984
BEL Order of Leopold II - Grand Officer BAR.png Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold II Belgium 15 September 1986
Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour France 17 February 1987
Order of Orange-Nassau ribbon - Grand Officer.svg Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau Netherlands 10 December 1988
NLD Order of the Dutch Lion - Commander BAR.png Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion Netherlands 20 November 1994 Elevated from Knight (26 October 1981)
POL Order Zaslugi RP kl3 BAR.png Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit Poland 6 May 1998
ROM Order of the Star of Romania VM Comm BAR.svg Commander of the Order of the Star Romania 13 June 2018
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