Ontvangst van het internationale corps diplomatique, 28 oktober 2026

 

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests,

 

In the year 452, Attila the Hun was advancing towards Rome.

By then, he had become a figure of almost mythical proportions.

Much of Europe lay under his dominion, and he was widely feared as one of the most powerful rulers of his age.

After his armies had devastated large parts of Italy, the people of Rome braced themselves for the worst.

 

At this critical moment, Pope Leo I chose a different path.

Rather than preparing for battle, he rode out at the head of a delegation to meet Attila face to face.

What was said between the two camps has been lost to history.

Yet the outcome was unmistakable.

Rome was spared.

 

More than fifteen centuries later, this encounter remains a reminder of the influence diplomacy can have, especially at moments of tension and uncertainty.

The roots of diplomacy stretch back even further, to the courts of the pharaohs and the earliest civilisations.

Across different eras and cultures, people have sought dialogue as a way to prevent conflict and manage differences.

It is within this long tradition of dialogue that The Hague found its place.

From the seventeenth century onwards, the Binnenhof attracted envoys, ambassadors and statesmen from across Europe.

Over time, the city developed into an important centre of political and diplomatic exchange.

That exchange contributed to the prosperity of The Hague.

It also served a practical purpose.

Unlike many European cities of its time, The Hague had no defensive walls.

Its security depended to a considerable extent on relationships, agreements and mutual understanding.

Diplomacy was therefore not simply an activity that took place here.

It became part of our city’s character.

That international profile was strengthened further by the Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907, and by the construction of the Peace Palace a decade later.

Today, The Hague is recognised worldwide as the International City of Peace and Justice.

Home to the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and many other institutions, it brings together people, organisations and governments from every corner of the globe.

The Hague is also home to people from 190 nationalities and to more than 110 embassies and diplomatic representations.

Together with the diplomatic community we have helped shape an international city that remains deeply connected to the world around it.

 

At its heart, The Hague is a city of hope.

Hope that disputes can be settled through law rather than force.

Hope that dialogue can prevail over confrontation.

And hope that justice remains within reach, even in difficult times.

It is a city where international institutions address questions of accountability and justice, and where governments, courts and organisations meet to discuss challenges that do not stop at national borders.

In this way, we contribute to an effective international legal order,
including at a time when that order is under pressure in many places.

A clear example is the sanctions recently announced against the International Criminal Court.

On this issue, I stand firmly with our Prime Minister: hands off the ICC.

 

The Hague has long served as a place where people come together to exchange views, address differences and seek common ground.

And also a place where independent judges can render judgment when necessary.

That role remains as relevant today as ever.

For that reason, we attach great importance to our cooperation with diplomatic missions.

An example is the upcoming Hague Justice Week, which brings together partners from the Netherlands and abroad to discuss current developments in international law.

Through initiatives such as Connecting Culture, we also encourage cultural exchange and stronger ties between the international community and the city.

And there are opportunities for economic cooperation as well.

Companies based in The Hague are increasingly active abroad, while international businesses continue to find in our city a reliable and welcoming place from which to operate.

 

In an increasingly interconnected world, diplomacy remains indispensable.

More than fifteen centuries after Pope Leo rode out to meet Attila, one lesson still endures: dialogue can alter the course of events.

That conviction is woven into the identity of The Hague.

It continues to guide our work and our cooperation with you, the diplomatic community.

We look forward to building on that cooperation in the years ahead.