Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation

Ben Knapen, 14 October 2010:

‘In times of crisis, we all have to tighten our belts. That means we have to make choices and work more efficiently. But the Netherlands wants to make a fair and constructive contribution, both in Europe and in developing countries.’
My guiding principle:
‘I want to give the Netherlands a distinctive profile, both in Europe and the world at large. That means well-defined policy decisions that will make a difference abroad and give this country a distinctive image. Of course, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot do this on its own. But it has an important role as the link between various players. I want to give substance to that role in the years ahead.’

Personal details
Full name: Hubertus Petrus Maria Knapen
Place and date of birth: Kaatsheuvel, 6 January 1951
Place of residence: Amsterdam
Civil status: married

Education
1970: Gymnasium (classical grammar school)
1972-1976: Modern History, Catholic University of Nijmegen
1985: Awarded a doctorate for his thesis on Dutch relations with the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1943

Career
Ben Knapen began his career as a history teacher in 1976. In 1977 he was hired as foreign desk editor at the NRC Handelsblad national newspaper and worked as a correspondent for the NRC in Germany and the United States until 1990. From 1979 to 1984 he also served as a broadcast news correspondent for the NOS news in Germany. In 1990 Mr Knapen was appointed editor-in-chief of the NRC Handelsblad.

In 1996 Ben Knapen was appointed Senior Director of Corporate Communication, Marketing and Institutional Relations at Philips. In 1999 he joined the Board of Management of publishing company PCM Uitgevers, where he was responsible for the book division.

As a freelance correspondent in South-east Asia he wrote for the NRC Handelsblad from 2006 to 2008.

Until taking office as Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation, Ben Knapen was a council member of the Advisory Council for Government Policy (WRR) (since 2008) and Professor of Media Quality and Ethics (endowed chair) at Radboud University Nijmegen (since 2008).

Professor Knapen was appointed Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation in the Rutte-Verhagen government on 14 October 2010.

Other activities
Ben Knapen has held many other positions. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of Vereniging AEGON, supervisory director at Goede Doelen N.V, member of the supervisory board of the KRO broadcasting company and member of the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV).

14 October 2010