Hans van Mierlo was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (currently holding the EU Council Presidency) in August 1994. He has also served as Defense Minister in previous Dutch governments (spanning 1981-1982). On the parliamentary side of government, Mr. van Mierlo was a member of the Upper House of the States General from 1983 to 1986, and of the Lower House of the States General from 1986-1994 and from 1967 to 1977. He was a founding member and first Chairman of the Democrats 66 (D66) political party. He has twice held the party's leadership (1967-1974 and 1986-1994).

A Doctor of Law (University of Nijmegen, 1960), Mr. van Mierlo worked as a journalist on the newspaper Het Algemeen Handelsblad in Amsterdam (1960-1967), first as Home Affairs editor, and later as editor of the leader page. He has co-produced a number of television programs, and has occupied various positions in literary and other cultural organizations.

Hans van Mierlo was born in Breda on August 18, 1931.

Source: European Union Delegation Office, Washington, D.C.