In this Dutch name, the surname is 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 ([ˈjaːbdəˈɦoːpˈsxɛfər]ⓘ;[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.
Jakob Gijsbert "Jaap" deHoopScheffer ([ˈjaːb də ˈɦoːp ˈsxɛfər] ; born 3 April 1948) is a Dutch retired politician, jurist and diplomat who served as...
career ambassador, he succeeded then-Minister of Foreign Affairs JaapdeHoopScheffer who resigned to become Secretary General of NATO. Bot was born in...
Teofilus Scheffer (1710–1759), Swedish chemist JaapdeHoopScheffer (born 1948), Dutch politician, former Secretary General of NATO James Scheffer (born...
parliamentary leader. After Party Leader and Parliamentary leader, JaapdeHoopScheffer stepped down before an upcoming election Balkenende announced his...
announced in January 2003 that he would be stepping down in December. JaapdeHoopScheffer was selected as his successor, but could not assume the office until...
Dutch cabinets formed since it became a unitary party. Health Minister Hugo de Jonge served as Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal from July 2020 until...
JDHS may refer to: JaapdeHoopScheffer, Dutch politician and Secretary General of NATO Jamesville-Dewitt High School, Central New York Jeff Davis High...
became the 12th NATO Secretary General on 1 August 2009, succeeding JaapdeHoopScheffer, who held the post from 2004 until 2009. The announcement was made...
Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG)" "Hoge Britse ridderorde voor DeHoopScheffer" (in Dutch). 10 February 2010. "Honorary awards" (PDF). gov.uk. 2012...
words could endanger Dutch interests. Former NATO general secretary JaapdeHoopScheffer advised Wilders not to make a speech, arguing that the international...
"rhetoric that sounded more like the Cold War". Former NATO secretary JaapdeHoopScheffer called it "disappointing and not helpful." The months following...
that will mentor the Afghan National Army. NATO Secretary General JaapdeHoopScheffer said that the removal of some of the caveats meant that some 20...
original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2007. DeYoung 2006a, pp. 344–45. DeYoung 2006a, p. 356. DeYoung 2006a, p. 388. Rutten, Tim (October 9, 2006)...
competition to incumbent Ilham Aliyev. The NATO Secretary General, JaapdeHoopScheffer, declared "He welcomes reports from the international election observers...
Foreign Affairs) Romano Prodi (President of the European Commission) JaapdeHoopScheffer (General secretary) OSCE Ján Kubiš (General Secretary), Solomon...
Development Report, Hirsi Ali requested Minister of Foreign Affairs JaapdeHoopScheffer and the Minister without Portfolio for Development Cooperation Agnes...
Schendel (1959–1975) Simon Levie (1975–1989) Henk van Os (1989–1996) Ronald de Leeuw (1996–2008) Wim Pijbes (2008–2016) Taco Dibbits (2016–present) The building...
Davignon, Vice-Chairman, Suez-Tractebel, Minister of State, Belgium JaapdeHoopScheffer, former Secretary General of NATO and University of Leiden Elisabeth...
co-founder of the NSB Dirk Jan de Geer (1870–1960), Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1926–1929, 1939–1940) JaapdeHoopScheffer (born 1948), Minister of...
countries had ratified the adapted CFE treaty. Secretary General JaapdeHoopScheffer claimed the system would not affect strategic balance or threaten...
Global Information
Netherlands
Royal Netherlands Air Force 
Second lieutenant