Former Dutch Defense Minister Appointed EEAS Secretary General

BRUSSELS – Former Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren has been appointed secretary general of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic service. The announcement was made in an email to staff on Wednesday afternoon, ending weeks of speculation about the position.

Ollongren succeeds Belén Martínez Carbonell, who left the post after two years to lead the EU’s delegation in Mexico. The appointment underscores the increasing weight of defense matters within the EU's foreign policy structures.

Ollongren has held several high-profile positions in the Netherlands, including defense minister, interior minister, and minister for home affairs and kingdom relations. Her extensive experience in defense is seen as a key asset amid ongoing security challenges in Europe.

As secretary general, Ollongren will oversee the day-to-day operations of the EEAS and support the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The move signals that defense coordination and strategic planning are becoming central to the EU's external action.