Brussels, 23/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The North Atlantic Council (NAC) appointed the Dutchman Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to the post of Secretary General of NATO on Monday. Mr de Hoop Scheffer, who is currently Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, will take up his new position on 1 January 2004. He will succeed Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, who is to step down on 17 December after four years of service.