Hubertus Petrus Maria "Ben" Knapen (born 6 January 1951) is a Dutch historian and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 24 September 2021 to 10 January 2022. A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), he previously was State Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2012 and parliamentary leader in the Senate from 2019 to 2021.

Ben Knapen
Knapen in 2021
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
24 September 2021 – 10 January 2022
Prime MinisterMark Rutte
Preceded byTom de Bruijn (Acting)
Succeeded byWopke Hoekstra
Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal in the Senate
In office
11 June 2019 – 24 September 2021
Preceded byElco Brinkman
Succeeded byJoop Atsma
Senator of the Netherlands
In office
9 June 2015 – 24 September 2021
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
In office
14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012
Prime MinisterMark Rutte
Preceded byFrans Timmermans
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Personal details
Born
Hubertus Petrus Maria Knapen

(1951-01-06) 6 January 1951 (age 73)
Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Political partyChristian Democratic Appeal
EducationRadboud University Nijmegen (BA, MA, PhD)

Career

edit

Knapen was the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the first Rutte cabinet, serving from 14 October 2010 to 5 November 2012. His portfolio comprised European Union matters, as well as international aid.[1] Then he was on the advisory board of OMFIF where he was regularly involved in meetings regarding the financial and monetary system.

Other activities

edit

Decorations

edit

References

edit
edit
Official
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal
in the Senate

2019–present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
2010–2012
Vacant
Preceded by Minister of Foreign Affairs
2021–2022
Succeeded by