Speech by Jan van Zanen at the Atlantic Assembly of the Young Atlantic Association, 12 April 2025

 

Good afternoon,

I am delighted to see you all here today for this Atlantic Assembly, ’the Frontlines of Changes’.

Here in The Hague, the city which has the honour of being home to the Young Atlantic Association.

And since 1952, its parent organisation, the Atlantic Association, too.

Just over a year ago I was privileged to attend the opening of the new building of the Atlantic Association.

On that occasion several themes were discussed which have since only become more topical:

Will we be able to maintain solidarity with Ukraine?

Can we continue to count on the support of the United States?

Are the European allies capable of providing for their own security?

The events of recent weeks have given these questions a new significance.

And nationally, as well as in the European context, this has led to various developments intended to strengthen our defences.

Something you will have already discussed with today’s other keynote speakers.

Putting the NATO summit, next June, even more in the spotlight than usual.

The Hague is honoured to host this meeting that has become more urgent than ever.

For more than 125 years we have been home to organisations and people dedicated to creating a just and peaceful world.

Our city is now home to more than 130 international organisations.

NATO has had a branch in The Hague since 1954.

And rightly so: since it was founded the alliance has played a vital role in safeguarding peace, security and democracy.

The NATO Communications and Information Agency has been here since 2012.

Starting with the first peace conferences in 1899 and 1907, The Hague has welcomed countless international meetings.

The last one comparable to the NATO summit was the Nuclear Security Summit 11 years ago.

When 5,000 people came to The Hague.

This time that number will be 8,500.

This will cause inconvenience to local residents and business owners.

We try, wherever possible, to limit that and provide clear communication about road closures and other security measures.

At the same time we are working hard to ensure that the city and its residents feel connected with the summit.

Something which I feel is important.

Because, after all, we, the whole of The Hague, are hosting the summit.

There will be a fringe programme for that purpose.

The NATO Public Forum will be part of that, a gathering for young people, opinion makers, politicians, academics and experts.

To give another example, the Crossing Border literature festival will draw attention to the summit with a lecture by Robert Kaplan.

As will other events.

All of them can be found at: roadtosummit.nl

The city is working closely with the Atlantic Association and the Young Atlantic Association on this.

Both provide a forum for the public debate on trans-Atlantic security issues.

For example: to what extent are we all aware of the urgent need to strengthen our security?

With or, if necessary, without help from overseas?

The Atlantic Association and the Young Atlantic Association play an essential role in informing people of the importance of military cooperation to safeguard our democracy and freedom.

Focusing mainly on young people.

That is why this Atlantic Assembly is important.

Along with the meetings that are to follow.

Because it’s about our future.

And indeed, chiefly, your future.

The Hague, the city of peace and justice, will always provide a platform for that.

Know that you will always be welcome here.