Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
De Hoop Scheffer in 2005
11th Secretary General of NATO
In office 1 January 2004 – 1 August 2009
Preceded by	Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo (Acting)
Succeeded by	Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 22 July 2002 – 3 December 2003
Prime Minister	Jan Peter Balkenende
Preceded by	Jozias van Aartsen
Succeeded by	Ben Bot
Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal
In office 27 March 1997 – 1 October 2001
Deputy	See list Hans Hillen (1998–2001) Jan Peter Balkenende (2001)
Preceded by	Enneüs Heerma
Succeeded by	Jan Peter Balkenende
Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal in the House of Representatives
In office 27 March 1997 – 1 October 2001
Preceded by	Enneüs Heerma
Succeeded by	Jan Peter Balkenende
Member of the House of Representatives
In office 3 June 1986 – 23 May 2002
Personal details
Born	Jakob Gijsbert de Hoop Scheffer (1948-04-03) 3 April 1948 (age 76) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Political party	Christian Democratic Appeal (since 1982)
Other political affiliations	Democrats 66 (1979–1982)
Spouse	Jeannine van Oorschot ​ ​ (m. 1979)​
Children	2 daughters
Residence	The Hague
Alma mater	Leiden University (LL.B., LL.M.)
Occupation	Politician · Diplomat · Civil servant · Jurist · Corporate director · Nonprofit director · Lobbyist · Professor
Military service
Allegiance	Netherlands
Branch/service	Royal Netherlands Air Force
Years of service	1974–1976 (Conscription) 1976–1978 (Reserve)
Rank	Second lieutenant
Battles/wars	Cold War

Jakob Gijsbert "Jaap" de Hoop Scheffer ([ˈjaːb də ˈɦoːp ˈsxɛfər] ^ⓘ;^[1] born 3 April 1948) is a Dutch retired politician, jurist and diplomat who served as the eleventh Secretary General of NATO from January 2004 to August 2009.^[2] A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), which he led from March 1997 to October 2001, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from July 2002 until December 2003 under Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

De Hoop Scheffer studied law at Leiden University obtaining a Master of Laws degree before he worked as a civil servant and diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic service from October 1976 until June 1986. In the general election of 1986 he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives, where he served a frontbencher and spokesperson for foreign and European affairs. After party leader and parliamentary leader Enneüs Heerma stepped down De Hoop Scheffer was selected as his successor on 27 March 1997; he was the party's lijsttrekker (top candidate) for the election of 1998. Following an internal power struggle with party chairman Marnix van Rij before an upcoming general election De Hoop Scheffer announced that he was stepping down as leader and would not stand at the election.

De Hoop Scheffer continued to be active in politics and was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet Balkenende I taking office on 22 July 2002. The cabinet Balkenende I fell just 87 days into its term. After the election of 2003 De Hoop Scheffer continued his office in the Cabinet Balkenende II. In September 2003 De Hoop Scheffer was nominated as the next Secretary General of NATO serving from 1 January 2004 until 1 August 2009.

De Hoop Scheffer retired from active politics at 61 and became active in the private and public sectors as a corporate and non-profit director served on several state commissions and councils and as a occasional diplomat and lobbyist for several economic delegations on behalf of the government, he also worked as a distinguished professor of International relations, Diplomatic Practice and Governmental Studies at his alma mater Leiden University from September 2009 until September 2014. He is still involved with his alma mater as a Distinguished Fellow at Leiden University College The Hague.^[3]

Following his retirement, De Hoop Scheffer continues to be active as a advocate and lobbyist for more European integration and improved Transatlantic relations. De Hoop Scheffer is known for his abilities as an effective negotiator and skilful manager. De Hoop Scheffer was granted the honorary title of Minister of State on 22 June 2018 and as of 2024 continues to comment on political affairs as a statesman.