Frans Timmermans

Who is Frans Timmermans?

Franciscus Cornelis Gerardus Maria "Frans" Timmermans is a Dutch politician and former diplomat and civil servant. As a member of the Labour Party he was an MP from 2010 to 2012. He focused on matters of foreign affairs. Previously he was State Secretary for European Affairs in the fourth Balkenende cabinet. He was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 5 November 2012.

Timmermans was born in Maastricht. He studied French literature at Radboud University Nijmegen.

He worked at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the Dutch embassy in Moscow. From 1994 to 1995, he worked for EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek. Until 1998, he was advisor and private secretary to High Commissioner on National Minorities for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Max van der Stoel.

From 1998 to 2007 he was a member of the Dutch House of Representatives. He represented the House in the European Convention. On 22 February 2007 Timmermans was appointed State Secretary for European Affairs in the fourth Balkenende government.