The Hague City Hall lights up all day on Europe Day with a projection of the European flag. Yesterday evening, alderman Van Asten symbolically ‘turned on the European light’. On the same day, Russia celebrates the victory of the Soviet Union in the Second World War. Traditionally, this is accompanied by a large military display, while the war in Ukraine is still ongoing. The Hague, as an international city of peace and justice, shows with this symbol that it stands firm for our European values, such as cooperation, democracy and peace.
Robert van Asten, alderman for Europe and first deputy mayor of The Hague: “It has never been more important to show the unity of Europe than it is now. Today, Putin parades through Moscow with tanks and missiles, but in The Hague, the European light is burning – a light that stands for cooperation, democracy and peace. This year, we celebrate eighty years of freedom in the Netherlands, but on our own continent, a terrible war is still raging that has already cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. In The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, we show what Europe stands for: peace, the rule of law and a shared future.”
Central role in Europe
More than 4,200 people work for 29 European organisations in The Hague. For example, the city is home to Eurojust and Europol; European cooperation bodies that work against serious and organised crime on the continent, but it is also the host city for the representation of the European Parliament and the European Commission. The International Criminal Court (ICC), which examines war crimes committed in Ukraine, among other places, is also based in The Hague.
On Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June, The Hague will also host the NATO summit. This will take place in the World Forum. Here, NATO member states will discuss their joint security.
Europe Day
On 9 May, it is Europe Day in all European countries. On this day, European countries reflect on the meaning and importance of the European Union. In The Hague, this is done with various meetings. For example, alderman Van Asten will raise the European flag at the Hofvijver on Friday at 9:15 am with representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament and The Hague University of Applied Sciences.
For more information, see the council notice (in Dutch)