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)
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

Discover other speakers

Dmytro Kuleba Speaker
Exclusive
Dmytro Kuleba
Foreign Minister of Ukraine (2020-2024) & Author of 'War for Reality" Senior Fellow - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
Gideon Rachman Speaker
Exclusive
Gideon Rachman
Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, Financial Times
mark brolin panel
Mark Brolin Speaker
Exclusive
Mark Brolin
Geopolitical Strategist, Economist & Author
Mark Sedwill Speaker
Exclusive
Mark Sedwill
National Security Adviser (2017-20)
Rohit Kachroo Speaker
Exclusive
Rohit Kachroo
Global Security Editor for ITV News
gabrielius
Gabrielius Landsbergis Speaker
Exclusive
Gabrielius Landsbergis
Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs (2020-24)
Basim Al-Ahmadi Speaker
Exclusive
Basim Al-Ahmadi
Political Risk and Strategy Consultant
Sanam Vakil Speaker
Exclusive
Sanam Vakil
Director Middle East North Africa Programme, Chatham House
Tom Burgis Speaker
Exclusive
Tom Burgis
Award-winning investigative journalist - bestselling author of 'Kleptopia' and Cuckooland: Where the Rich Own the Truth' (2024)
Kathryn Schulz Speaker
Exclusive
Kathryn Schulz
Author, Pulitzer Prize Winning journalist, and staff writer at The New Yorker