Jan Peter Balkenende
Jan Peter Balkenende
Jan Pieter "Jan Peter" Balkenende, Jr.; born 7 May 1956) is a Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal. He served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 22 July 2002 until 14 October 2010...
NationalityDutch
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth7 May 1956
europe machines becoming
We can prevent Europe from becoming a spiritless machine that, in the end, grinds to a halt.
mind remember granted
Day after day we must remember we can take freedom for granted. Day after day we must keep the bond between freedom and other values in mind.
war europe achievement
The generation which lived through the Second World War is disappearing. Post-war generations see Europe's great achievements - liberty, peace and prosperity - as a given.
universal values
Freedom is a universal value.
moving-on taught-us experience
Bitter experience has taught us how fundamental our values are and how great the mission they represent.
religious philosophical ideas
Our society is the product of several great religious and philosophical traditions. The ideas of the Greeks and Romans, Christianity, Judaism, humanism and the Enlightenment have made us who we are.
europe challenges world
The necessity for co-operation between Europe and the United States is bigger than ever. Only by close transatlantic co-operation can we face the world's challenges.
crush loyalty memories
The horrors of the Second World War, the chilling winds of the Cold War and the crushing weight of the Iron Curtain are little more than fading memories. Ideals that once commanded great loyalty are now taken for granted.