Javier Solana

Dr Francisco Javier Solana Madariaga (born July 14 1942 in Madrid, Spain) is the High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Secretary-General of both the Council of the European Union (EU) and the Western European Union (WEU). He was a physicist who became a political minister for 13 years before serving as NATO Secretary-General 1995–99. Dr. Solana was designated to become EU Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2006, but is likely to continue in his present role while the future of the EU is decided.

Other

Solana is married to Concepción Solana, and they have two adult children, Diego and Vega, but he lives alone in Brussels, where his apartment has a reputation of being a focal point for Spanish politicians in or visiting this capital. He speaks fluent French, as well as English and Spanish. He has admitted that his family life has suffered as a result of his work.

Related Topics:
Brussels - French - English - Spanish

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He describes himself as an Atlanticist and a European. He has been said to eat little and sleep less, surviving on a diet of fish and fruit. He is a gun collector. He enjoys doing a little sport every day, and particularly swimming, cycling and running.

Related Topics:
Atlanticist - European - Gun - Sport - Swimming - Cycling - Running

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General Wesley Clark once asked Solana the secret of his diplomatic success. He answered: "Make no enemies, and never ask a question to which you do not know or like the answer." He has been described as a "squarer of circles".

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U.S. ambassador to NATO Alexander Vershbow said of him: "He is an extraordinary consensus-builder who works behind the scenes with leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to ensure that NATO is united when it counts." He is a frequent speaker at the prestigious U.S. based Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). He is likewise active in the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) as well as the New York City based East West Institute.

Related Topics:
Ambassador - Alexander Vershbow - Council on Foreign Relations

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He is a Knight of the Order of St Michael and St George, a member of the Spanish section of the Club of Rome. He has received the Grand Cross of Isabel the Catholic in Spain and the Manfred Wörner Medal from the German Defence Ministry. He received the Vision for Europe Award in 2003. He has been President of the Madariaga European Foundation since 1998.

Related Topics:
Knight - Order of St Michael and St George - Club of Rome - Isabel the Catholic - Manfred Wörner Medal - 2003 - Madariaga European Foundation - 1998

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