Westendorp, Carlos

In 1966 he entered the Spanish diplomatic service. After completing several missions abroad (1966–1969: Deputy Consul General in São Paulo , Brazil ; 1975–1979: Trade and Economic Counselor at the Spanish Embassy in The Hague ) and in Spain (1969–1975: Head of Economic Studies at the Diplomatic School, Chairman technological agreements at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Industry), he devoted most of his professional career to the processes of Spain’s integration into the European Union .

From 1979 to 1985, in the Ministry of European Affairs, he served as adviser to the minister, was the head of the private office of the minister and the secretary general. In 1986, when Spain joined the EU, Westendorp was appointed the first Permanent Representative. He headed the Committee of Permanent Representatives during the first Spanish Chairmanship of the EEC in 1989.

From 1991 to 1995 - Secretary of Spain for European Union affairs. In December 1995, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and held this position until the end of the government of Felipe González . In July 1996, he was appointed Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations in New York. From 1997 to 1999 he became the High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina . At his request, the Bonn Conference entrusted him to take the necessary decisions to implement the peace agreements (flag, national anthem, common currency, common license plates, citizenship laws, etc.) In 1999, Carlos Westendorp was elected a member of the European Parliament and represented the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE). He served as Chairman of the Committee on Industry, Commerce, Energy and Science until 2003.

Currently, he is the main adviser to Felipe Gonzalez , Chairman of the Group to reflect the future of Europe, formed by the heads of state and government of the EU, to help the EU in foreseeing and solving the tasks set in the period 2020–2030. He is President of Westendorp International Private Consulting Company. He constantly speaks at conferences and lectures, wrote articles and books on European affairs, for which he was awarded the journalism prize by Salvador de Madaryaga .

• Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza - European Parliament .
• Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza .