Javier Solana

Biographical Information

In national politics, Dr. Solana served in Felipe Gonzalez’s successive governments from 1982 to 1995, holding the portfolio of Minister for Foreign Affairs from July 1992 to December 1995.

In the international sphere, Dr. Solana was appointed Secretary General of NATO on 5 December 1995. During his mandate, which coincided with a significant phase in European history, NATO went through a crucial stage in its development. It despatched a peace-keeping force, under a United Nations mandate, to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also negotiated and signed the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and the Russia Federation which opened the way to a new co-operation and consultation partnership between Western Europe and Russia.

In 1997 Dr. Solana chaired the NATO Summit in Madrid at which the Alliance invited the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to begin talks on joining the Alliance, thus opening NATO’s doors to the East and helping to transform the political map of Europe.

In the European Union, Dr. Solana was appointed Secretary General of the Council of the EU and the first High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in June 1999 and officially took office on 18 October 1999. A month later he was also appointed Secretary General of the Western European Union (WEU). In June 2004, the European Council renewed his mandate as High Representative for a second term until 2009.

Dr. Solana has received decorations from various countries, and has been awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by different universities worldwide. He is Senior Visiting professor at the London School of Economics, where he was awarded an Honorary Degree in December 2010.

Memberships and Associations

• President of the Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics at ESADE (Barcelona – Madrid)
• President of Madariaga-College of Europe Foundation
• Chairman of the Aspen Institute España
• Board Member of International Crisis Group
• Board Member of Human Rights Watch
• Board Member of the European Council on Foreign Relations
• Board Member of Fundación La Caixa
• Board Member of Museo Nacional del Prado
• Board Member of Yalta European Strategy
• Member of Global Commission on Drug Policy
• Senior Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics Global Governance
• Distinguished Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution
• Fisher Family Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School
• Senior Fellow of Hertie School of Governance
• Honorary President of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
• Advisor of Institute of Modern International Relations, Tsinghua University