Opening Europa Experience, 2 October 2026

 

President Roberta Metsola,

Danny de Paepe,

Cecilia Thorfinn,

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

 

It is a true pleasure to be here with all of you today.

Gathered to officially open the Europa Experience.

Cities like Berlin, Paris, and Rome came before us.

All capital cities.

But The Hague, of course, is the ‘secret capital’ of the Netherlands.

And had Louis Napoleon not declared Amsterdam the capital back then, The Hague would surely have taken that title.

 

Moreover, and far more importantly today: The Hague is the European city of the Netherlands.

It was here, through the Congress of Europe chaired by Sir Winston Churchill, that the unification of Europe started.

And what better place for this than The Hague, the international city of peace and justice?

 

After all, at the very foundation of European integration was the desire for peace.

This is something to remember today, nearly eighty years later.

Especially now, as war has been raging on our continent for the last four years.

Now that our countries are under digital fire and our borders are increasingly violated.

And, finally, now that far-right and anti-European forces are gaining ground across Europe.

It was not without reason that I recently felt compelled – with pride by the way – to stand up for the International Criminal Court, both here and in New York.

Because attacks on the Court are also attacks on what we stand for in The Hague and in Europe.

What generations before us fought for, after the bitter experience of so many conflicts, including two world wars.

They fought for: peace, justice, and prosperity for Europe.

 

We cannot manage without Europe, and Europe cannot manage without us.

Still, not everyone appreciates this fully.

That is why the Europa Experience comes at the perfect time.

Right here, in the heart of The Hague.

An accessible place where everyone can discover what Europe means to us.

 

I understand that since the informal opening on the 9th of May, many people have already visited the Europa Experience, including numerous school groups.

I hope these numbers will only continue to grow.

Rest assured of the full support of the Municipality of The Hague.

Your mission is ours: a free, safe, and prosperous Europe.

 

Thank you.