PRESENTATION OF LITHUANIA AT THE CONGRESS OF EUROPE IN THE HAGUE
On 23th and 24th of May various events took place in The Hague on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Congress of Europe. Sixty years ago, in May 1948, the Congress of Europe in The Hague was attended by 750 delegates from twenty-six European countries. Important political figures, such as W.Churchill, K. Adenauer and H. Macmillan launched a campaign striving for a democratic Union of Europe. The objectives of the European Movement remain the same – to create the future of Europe together, based on the following principles: freedom, solidarity, peace, human rights and democracy. Currently 43 national councils and 21 international member organizations work towards bringing together the members of associations, political parties, and trade unions.
Representatives from EU institutions, European political parties and the European Civil society took part in various activities on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Congress of Europe. They discussed European political, economical, social, educational and cultural development trends and prospects. The participants had a unique opportunity to take part in debates on actual matters with the President of the European Parliament, Mr. H.G. Pöttering, the President of the European Commission, Mr. J.M. Barroso, the Prime minister of Slovenia J.Janša and the Secretary – General of the Council of the European Union, Mr. J. Solana.
On Saturday the events moved to the streets and squares of The Hague. The presentation of Lithuania on the „Boulevard of Europe“, a country fair, enjoyed much attention from the organizors and the people living or temporarily staying in The Hague. The Embassy personnel together with representatives from the Lithuanian community and the student body welcomed everyone at the Lithuanian stand and provided those interested with information about Lithuania, its history, culture, traditions, economic development trends and its tourism opportunities. The Finance Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. R.Šadžius, who briefly visited The Hague, attended our stand. The center of the city came into colour from the Lithuanian flags and balloons carried by the little visitors of the fair. The Embassy personnel received an official letter of thanks from the organizers of the event for a succesful presentation of Lithuania at the fair, because the Lithuanian stand received many positive comments and it was one of the most attended stands during the event.
