European University Institute State of the Union
Speakers -  State of the Union

Speakers

Frans Timmermans

Frans Timmermans is the First Vice-President of the European Commission and the European Commissioner for Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamental Rights. After an initial appointment in the Dutch Foreign Ministry he worked for European Commissioner Hans van den Broek. Since 1998, he has been a Member of the Dutch Parliament. He was Secretary of State for Foreign and European Affairs between 2007 and 2010 before becoming the Minister for Foreign Affairs two years later. He holds degrees in French literature, European law and history.