Javier Solana Keynote Speaker

  • High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU (1999-2009)
  • Secretary-General of NATO (1995-99)
  • Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs (1992-95)

Javier Solana's Biography

Javier Solana is a leading diplomat, who served as Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Secretary-General of the Western European Union and European High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU (1999-2009), as well as Secretary-General of NATO (1995-99) and Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs (1992-95).

His tenure at NATO coincided with a crucial stage in the history of the Western defence organisation. During his mandate he worked closely with the Clinton Administration to solve the conflict in former Yugoslavia.

In 1999, Javier left NATO to become Secretary-General of the Council of the EU and its first High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, tasked with presenting ideas and analysing policy options to help EU leaders agree on foreign and security policy issues, thereby giving the Union more political clout in international affairs.

Between 2003 and 2005 he helped lead attempts to bring peace to the Middle East conflict as part of the Israeli/Palestine Quartet, along with Kofi Annan (UN), Colin Powell (USA) and Igor Ivanov (Russia).

A former academic, Javier served in successive Spanish cabinets for 13 years. His domestic posts included Minister of Education (1988-92) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (1992-95).

He is currently President of the Centre for Global Economy and Geopolitics at the ESADE Business School in Barcelona.

Read More

Videos of Javier Solana

Conversations in Diplomacy (2012)
Conversations in Diplomacy (2012)
The State of the Union - Interview (2012)
The State of the Union - Interview (2012)

Comments & Testimonials

Make no enemies, and never ask a question to which you do not know or like the answer
Javier Solana’s summary of his approach to diplomacy, as explained to US General Wesley Clark, 1999

Check Javier Solana's speaking fees and availability

    Sending your message…

    Please wait, this can take a moment

    Message sent…

    Close

    Please provide your details and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.

    We can only respond to requests for professional speaking engagements. We are unable to respond to requests for autographs, shoutouts and personalized messages.

    View our related Speakers

    Matthew Kroenig Speaker
    Exclusive
    Matthew Kroenig
    Vice President and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
    mark brolin panel
    Mark Brolin Speaker
    Exclusive
    Mark Brolin
    Independent British-Swedish political analyst, economist, commentator and author
    Thomas J. Wright Speaker
    Exclusive
    Thomas J. Wright
    Incisive analyst of geopolitics and foreign policy
    Frank Dikötter Speaker
    Exclusive
    Frank Dikötter
    Acclaimed historian and writer on China
    Anne Applebaum Speaker
    Exclusive
    Anne Applebaum
    Expert on International Affairs and Foreign Policy
    Mark Carleton-Smith header image
    Mark Carleton-Smith Speaker
    Exclusive
    Mark Carleton-Smith
    Head of the British Army
    Mark Leonard Speaker
    Exclusive
    Mark Leonard
    Expert on Geopolitics and Geoeconomics
    robin niblett
    Sir Robin Niblett Speaker
    Exclusive
    Sir Robin Niblett
    Director of Chatham House (2007-2022)
    Demetri Sevastopulo Speaker
    Exclusive
    Demetri Sevastopulo
    US/China Foreign Policy Commentator
    Edward Lucas Speaker
    Exclusive
    Edward Lucas
    Independent Expert in European and Transatlantic security