Biography

• Born on 28th August 1911 in Rotterdam.
• Studied Law at the University of Leiden and the University of Amsterdam, 1937 doctorate (LLD); 1937–1938 studied at the London School of Economics and the University of Berlin.
• In 1938 he entered the Dutch Foreign Service and held various positions abroad, the last ones being Attaché and envoy at the UNO in New York (1949–1952). Afterwards he became Minister without Portfolio (1952–1956), and later from 1956 to 1971 was Foreign Minister. In this function he campaigned for the European union and played a leading role in the negotiations for the establishment of the European Economic Community.
• From 1971 to 1984 he was Secretary General of NATO.
• Died on 17th July 2002.