NAME: Van Orden, Geoffrey.

UNITED KINGDOM

POLITICAL GROUP: European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)

PARTY: Conservative and Unionist Party.

CONSTITUENCY: Eastern.

DATE OF LATEST ELECTION: 2009.

Committees: Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Member of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence; Member of the Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee; Member of the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly; Substitute, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs; Substitute, Delegation for Relations with the Countries of south-east Europe; Substitute, Delegation for Relations with Afghanistan; Substitute, Delegation for Relations with India.

Political Career: Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy since 2002; Member of the European Parliament since 1999; Conservative Co-spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Human Rights since 1999; European Parliament Rapporteur for Bulgaria since 1999; Member of Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee since 1999; Brigadier (Brigadier-General), NATO Headquarters, Brussels 1991-1994; Executive Secretary, International Military Staff, NATO Headquarters, Brussels 1991-1994.

Profession: British Army Operational Duties Worldwide 1964-1985; Instructor, German Armed Forces Staff College, Hamburg 1985-1988; Chief of Staff and Assistant Chief G2, British Sector, Berlin 1988-1990; JIC Assessment Staff, Cabinet Office, London 1990; Senior official in the European Commission Dealing with Foreign and Security Policy Issues 1995-1999.

Titles/honours/decorations: MBE; Freeman of the City of London; Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers.

Education: Sussex University, BA in Political Science 1969; Indian Defence Services Staff College, psc 1977.

Author of: Writer on Foreign Policy and Security Issues.

Born: 10 April 1945, Waterlooville.