The NATO Secretary General
The Secretary General is the Alliance’s top international civil servant. He or she is responsible for steering the process of consultation and decision-making in the Alliance and ensuring that decisions are implemented.
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- 10 Jan. 2007 - NATO
NATO Secretary General’s term extended
Eng. / Fr. / Ru. /Ukr.
The Secretary General is also NATO’s chief spokesperson and the head of the organisation’s international staff.
Who is currently holding this function?
Since January 2004 the post is held by Jaap de Hoop Scheffer of the Netherlands. A career diplomat and former politician, prior to his appointment as NATO Secretary General he was Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
More...What is his or her authority, tasks and responsibility?
The Secretary General has three main responsibilities: firstly, he chairs the North Atlantic Council, the Alliance’s principal political decision-making body, as well as other senior decision-making committees. Secondly, he is the principal spokesman of the Alliance and represents the Alliance in public on behalf of the member countries, reflecting their common positions on political issues. Thirdly, he is the senior executive officer of the NATO International Staff, responsible for making appointments to the staff and overseeing its work.
More...How is he or she selected and for how long?
The Secretary General is a senior statesman or stateswoman from a NATO member country, appointed by member states for a four-year term. The selection is carried through informal diplomatic consultations among member countries, who propose their candidates for the post.
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